An interactive exhibition showcasing young ideas for Indian urbanization

Logo Urban Samvaad (Samvaad means Dialogue in Hindi)

8th to 10th of November 2013 at the

School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi


4-Block-B, Indraprastha Estate, New Delhi 110002

India’s unique urban challenges will require trained young urban professionals who have the capacity to handle the complexities of urbanization and manage India’s cities.

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, India has collaborated with educational and academic institutions to address this need and develop new forms of capacity building and knowledge management in the field of Sanitation and Sustainable Urban Habitat. Innovative learning approaches have been carried out in the field of school sanitation and with the Benares Hindu University.

In January 2013 the School of Planning and Architecture (SPA), New Delhi and GIZ India took one step ahead and entered into a formal and long term cooperation. Together these two institutions support students in producing socially relevant knowledge and develop necessary skills and new thought processes for creating an inclusive and sustainable future for Indian cities.

Urban Samvaad (Samvaad means Dialogue in Hindi) is one of the main activities of this collaboration. It is an interactive and dialogue-oriented exhibition, where students from various planning departments of SPA, New Delhi share the results of their research on Indian urbanization with urban professionals, policy makers and the general public.

This exhibition is a unique opportunity for promoting innovative forms of education for future planners, architects and other urban professionals to deal with the challenges of Indian urbanization.

The event brings together representatives from all relevant fields to discuss how planning education needs to be designed in the future.

At the same time the exhibition itself gives a valuable example of how knowledge production, dissemination and capacity building can be organised in a pioneering and innovative way.

Objective of the exhibitions are:

  • Sharing the student’s knowledge with urban professionals and citizens through creative installations and interactive methods.
  • Showcasing the innovative approach to planning education of this collaborative project.
  • Contribute to the discussion on the formation and education of future urban professionals in India.
  • Creating a space for dialogue between students, urban professionals and citizens on urban challenges and coping strategies.

Additional information