We didn’t realize when we entered into 2012 – so busy was our agenda. Right now we are in the throes of an exciting pedagogic exercise involving contractors from Mumbai’s unplanned settlements and about 60 students of the JJ College of Architecture, Mumbai. This is part of the institutions Affordable Housing class and along with the professors Dalvi, Pitkar, Alexis De Ducla, and others, the class looks at the techniques and processes of how each structure is built in neighbourhhods as varied as Shivaji Nagar, Govandi, Uttkarsh Nagar, Bhandup and M.G. Road, Dharavi. The contractors, Pankaj Gupta, Amar Mirjankar and Anwar along with several others are the resource persons and the groups working with them are making new discoveries every week. These sessions culminate in the workshop scheduled between January 23-25th when we have more resource persons from all over the country who will join the discussion. Will keep you updated. Involved in the program from URBZ are, Matias, Rahul, Priyanka, Masoom, Benjamin, Shyam, Ajit, all of whom will be sending in updates in the coming weeks. A very happy solar new year to everyone!