People
 Rahul Srivastava has studied Anthropology in Mumbai, Delhi and Cambridge (UK). He taught at Wilson College, Mumbai, worked as the first Director of PUKAR, Mumbai and subsequently was invited to be a research fellow at Nara University, Japan and New School University, New York. He writes fiction and commentaries on urban issues and new knowledge practices via airoots.org, organizes knowledge initiatives on urbanism around the world and is a founding partner of URBZ and Urbanology. He lives in Goa and Mumbai. |
 Geeta Mehta is an Associate Professor of Architecture and Urban Studies at Temple University, Japan Campus, and a visiting professor at Columbia University in New York and the Delhi School of Planning and Architecture. She is also the founder/chair of Asia Initiatives, and the President of American Institute of Architects Japan Chapter. She received her Ph.D from University of Tokyo. She is a founding partner of URBZ. |
 Matias Echanove studied economics & government at the London School of Economics, urban planning at Columbia University in New York and urban information systems at the University of Tokyo. He has researched urban culture, participatory planning and information technology in New York, Tokyo and Mumbai, and has organized workshops, studios, seminars and conferences in various cities. He’s a contributor to airoots.org and a founding partner of URBZ and Urbanology |
 Ricardo Garcia Sanchez is a freelance web developer who created multiple interactive websites. Specialized in complex architectures Ricardo is also used to last minute rushes and troubleshooting. He teaches web languages at Nomades Ateliers in Geneva and has helped with the production of many individual web projects throughout his career. Passionate about new technology, Ricardo keeps an active virtual lab at rigasa.ch, where he experiments with latest technologies. He is currently developing a series of Wordpress plugins and smart phone aps. He is URBZ’s web guru. |
 Susmita Mohanty seamlessly straddles the worlds of technology, business, design, architecture, and art. Educated in India, France, and Sweden, Susmita holds a Master’s in Industrial Design from the NID, Ahmedabad and a Master’s in Space Studies from the International Space University in Strasbourg [France] and a PhD in Aerospace Architecture from the Chalmers University of Technology [Sweden]. Susmita is the founder and CEO of Earth2Orbit, her third venture, and India’s first private space start-up. She is URBZ’s ambassador to the universe at large, constantly bringing new people and projects. |
 José “Cole” Abásolo holds a master’s degree in architecture from the Escola Tècnica Superior d’Arquitectura de Barcelona (etsaB-UPC). He practiced in Spain, Chile and Afghanistan and is currently teaching architectural and urban theory at the Universidad de Talca, UDLA and UNIACC. In addition to contributing his graphic design skills, he is also promoting URBZ as a tool for participatory planning across the Andean region. |
 Himanshu S graduated from the JJ school of Arts, Mumbai in 2003 and has since then exhibited his work at galleries across the country and international forums. He has taught art at L.S. Raheja School of Art, Academy of Fine Arts and Crafts – Rachna Sansad, and Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwadia University, Aurangabad. Winner of several fellowships and awards, he makes his mark through quiet moves in all kinds of public spaces. His medium of expression and art materials include pedagogic and activist practices. |
 Julia Siedle studied urban design at Columbia University in New York, and architecture at PBSA Duesseldorf and ESA Paris. She has been involved with the design of water management systems in both the academic and professional realms, and is interested in the interweaving and organic growth of physical with social infrastructures. With Mumbai experiencing a severe water crisis, she is currently researching the potential of micro scale water management strategies. |
 Nishit Shah is Mumbai-based computer engineer and RHCE. He has more than three years of work experience as a system administrator. He is passionate about free and open source software. He met the URBZ team in the Urban Typhoon workshop in Koliwada, where he helped to set up a local wireless server for dharavi.org. He joined URBZ as an IT assistant. |
 Celine Nahory studied at the Graduate Institute of International Studies in Geneva, Switzerland. She has worked with NGOs in the US, Japan and India, carrying out research and running advocacy campaigns on issues of peace, security, disarmament, economic justice and human development. She has organized several international events and conferences and has extensive experience in civil society organizing and program coordination. She serves as an advisor for URBZ. |
 Wahid Seraj studied architecture at The Cooper Union for Advancement of Science and Art, New York. His thesis project investigated alternative development strategies for Koliwada-Dharavi and architectural methodologies to facilitate community participation. He was an architect-consultant for Urban Typhoon Koliwada. He is interested in arts and vernacular crafts, curatorial work, architectural design, multi-disciplinary collaboration and community organization. |
 Dipti Hingorani studied structural engineering and architecture at Sheffield University and completed her diploma in architecture from Oxford Brookes. She practiced in Spain and the UK and also worked in Pune working with women self-help savings groups. She is currently pursuing her Masters in Development and Emergency Practice at CENDEP, Oxford Brookes University, investigating case studies on alternative participatory and inclusive processes for slum-upgrading and rehabilitation in Mumbai and Pune. She is also actively involved with the Dharavi Shelter project in Mumbai. |
 Sytse de Maat graduated in architecture at Eindhoven University of Technology in the Netherlands. Parallel to his career as a professional architect he works on his fascination for the human habitat. He gave lectures in Amsterdam, Tokyo, and Mumbai. His aim is to open the eyes of students, professionals and his clients for the aliveness of their environment and help them participate in its evolution. Observing and sharing his observations is his most important strategy. Photography, blogging, and lecturing are his tools. Christopher Alexander’s “The Nature of Order” is his current inspiration.
Bharat Gangurde studied commerce for two years before joining PUKAR, Partners For Urban Knowledge Action and Research, Mumbai, in 2000, as office and research assistant. Subsequently he became the office manager for the PUKAR Youth Fellowship Program. Since February 2012 he joined URBZ as Office Manager and Researcher. An avid photography enthusiast he loves chronicling the city and getting involved in all that URBZ does. |
October 24th, 2009 at 12:41 pm
Mumbai will accept this with delight , because it answers a need.
Mumbaikar’s should receive this as a welcome gift. I wish URBZ team a great success.
Presentation on “Cities turning into Mega cities”
prepared under citizen’s awareness campaign.
Possible to exhibit in poster form or on screen size 1200 x1800 mm. Cities images and text line
below each photograph is a theme format.
I would like to exhibit the same if space is not a constraint.
cmb, Architect
December 17th, 2009 at 1:37 pm
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