The unit focus is centred on the link between city, food and productive landscapes. A growing or developing city’s infrastructure is particularly reliant on the supply of many inputs (food, water), coupled with an enormous volume of output systems, with considerable externalities. Due to this, urban growth may have lasting challenges where large and complex systems are invisible and widespread. To make systems visible at neighbourhood level, the studio chooses under-utilised areas in Gandhinagar to cultivate new forms of productive development that can reduce some reliance on city services as well as create social spaces.

The studio defines ‘productive’ as a system of landscape development based on an ecologically conscious approach. Among the ideas that it can encompass are food production, water resources, biodiversity, or any other form of ecological development. Taking this approach allows city dwellers to reconnect with natural processes while enhancing the role public spaces can play in the function of cities.

So, to generate innovative ideas, the studio invites students to reimagine 3 key spaces in Gandhinagar i.e. the central vista, a part of the river-side and a residential sector through a productive lens. Landscape design, planting strategies, urban and green integration will be explored, along with policy frameworks that can help transform ideas into well-developed projects.

Unit Tutor: Mansi Shah
TA: Priyanka Awatramani
Bachelor of Urban Design, Faculty of Planning, CEPT University
CEPT portfolio: UG BUD Studio 7 | Eco Warriors [Edible To Productive Landscapes] | CEPT – Portfolio