Designing a Better Tomorrow: Reimagining Spatial Planning from Women’s Perspective

On 3rd and 4th June 2025, the tranquil campus of Sri Sri University, Bidyadharpur, Godisahi, became the epicenter of a powerful intellectual movement. A wave of transformative ideas swept across the serene campus of Sri Sri University, Bidyadharpur, Godisahi, as the Department of Architecture hosted a two-day national workshop titled “Reimagining Spatial Planning from Women’s Perspective” on 3rd and 4th June 2025. The event brought together a diverse and dynamic group of voices from across India and the globe to explore how women’s needs, safety, and lived experiences can shape the design of future cities and rural spaces.

The workshop focused on essential public issues - sanitation, roads, parks and safety in both public and religious spaces- calling for a bold reimagining of infrastructure that is inclusive, empathetic and human-centric. Distinguished speakers, including Dr. Sanjeev Vidyarthi, Prof. Madhavi Desai, Dr. Manasi Bal and Prof. Niraj Gupta, shared powerful insights during offline sessions. Dr. Vidyarthi emphasized the role of landscape and scale in planning, highlighting the need for all-weather roads and reliable transport systems across the country. He acknowledged the growing presence of women in architecture as a positive trend but reminded participants that success in planning must ultimately be measured by skill and substance, not gender. Prof. Desai offered a compelling look at the role of women in Indian urban planning, describing their contribution as indispensable.

The event was further elevated by the presence of the Vice Chancellor of Sri Sri University Dr. Tejpartap and Dean of the Department Prof. Dr. K. Mohan, whose encouragement underscored the importance of such visionary platforms. Virtually joining the workshop were Dr. Krushnachandra Mahapatra, Hon’ble Minister for Urban Development and Housing, Odisha and Prof. Rajita Kulkarni, President of Sri Sri University. In her heartfelt vote of thanks, Prof. Kulkarni emphasized the role of such academic gatherings in guiding the younger generation toward a more inclusive future. She proudly presented the Iconic Tower (building) of Sri Sri University as a symbol of architectural excellence and creative vision. Prof. Kulkarni also emphasized Odisha’s growing potential to become a national hub for design and innovation and urged the Minister to help attract top architects and planners to contribute to the development of the state. In his address, Dr. Mahapatra recognized the significance of this initiative and expressed hope that Sri Sri University would play a vital role in helping elevate Puri to international standards.

Over the course of two days, the workshop explored four core themes- "Women’s Role in Environmental Resilience, Adaptability and Change Management", "Women and Place-Making", "Accessibility, Mobility and Approachability" and "AI Governance and Women Empowerment." These themes served as lenses through which rich discussions unfolded, led by an impressive array of national and international contributors.

(Some Glimpses of the two-day workshop)

Among the many inspiring voices were Archana Baghel, Shreya Parekh, Architect Radha Gaikwad, Architect Vrushali S. Pawar, Anjali Sadanand, Ahalya Baiju, Sabda Miraclin, Lulwa Khaleel, Priyanka Kuril, Joy Sen, Dr. Arkopal K. Goswami, Samantha V. Arbotante, Micah Amor P. Yares, Aprille Dawn L. Golimlim, Isidoro R. Malaque, Preetha Jacob, Sheeba Chander, Amrithavarshni M., Asmita Yadav, Rashmi Kumari, Shreya Parikh, Khushbu Goyal, Archana Singh Rathore, Gaurangi Arya, Shweta Sharma, Monali Wankar, Rashmi Ashtt, Renuka Devi, Pavithra Annadurai, Meenal Bais, Mona Ayer, Nageshwar Pratidar, Krati Jain, Dr. Gauri Oram, Shobhan Saha, Anwesha Vishnu, and Indu Agrawal. Their collective wisdom and cross-cultural insights made the sessions intellectually stimulating and emotionally resonant.

The workshop was spearheaded by Assistant Professor Dr. Swagatika Mishra, who served as the convenor, with Architect R. N. Bhattacharya and Architect Juliet Pradhan as co-convenors. The smooth execution of the event was made possible by the committed efforts of the faculty team, including Architect Debashis Das, Professor Architect Syed Anisa Azharunnisa, and Dr. Parthasarathi Mishra, whose coordination ensured a seamless and impactful experience for all attendees.

More than just an academic event, the workshop emerged as a movement - a bold and necessary step toward inclusive spatial planning. It powerfully asserted that the design of our cities and rural spaces must be informed by the voices of women, not as a matter of preference, but as a matter of principle and progress. With this initiative, Sri Sri University reaffirmed its place as a torchbearer of innovation, compassion, and leadership in education - where vision meets action and the future is shaped with purpose and inclusivity.