Spot C : November 2012

22nd November 2012, 1830 Hrs

at arch i

Re-thinking : Nature and Urban Spaces

Ravi Agarwal, Founder Director Toxics Link will share his ideas relating to his forms and engagements both as an artist as well as an environmentalist, and the questions he confronts.The illustrated talk will focus the idea of creative expression and multi-dimensionality of approach as a way of rethinking ideas of nature and urban spaces. 

About the Speaker

Ravi Agarwal is an artist, photographer, writer, curator and environmentalist. He explores issues of urban space, ecology, capital in an interrelated way. Working with photographs, video, performance, on-site installations, and public art, he engages with explorations for a period of time, researching the issue, recovering philosophical and archival text, to bring a multidimensionality of materials to his work. His earlier work was as a documentary photographer was on ‘labour’ and the ‘street.’ He describes his work as an investigation into a “personal ecology.”

Agarwal has participated in several important international curated shows including Document XI (Kassel 2002), Horn Please (Berne 2007) Indian Highway (2009 ongoing  - London, Oslo, Copenhagen, Lyon, Rome etc.), Critical Mass (Tel Aviv, 2012), Newtopia (Belgium, 2012) as well as many national shows and solo shows. He  co-curated the twin city Yamuna-Elbe public art and ecology project, which was held in Hamburg and Delhi in October –November 2011.

Ravi writes extensively on ecological issues, and is also founder director of the leading Indian environmental NGO, Toxics Link. He has been involved, over the past 17 years in campaigns relating to the Ridge forest in Delhi, and the river Yamuna. Besides, Toxics Link has been at the forefront of issues relating to environmental health, waste, and toxics. As a research based advocacy organization it has contributed extensively to new policy formulation and on the ground change. Ravi has co-edited and authored several books and is a communications engineer and MBA by training.

Contact Us @

150, 2nd Floor, Kailash Hills,

New Delhi-110065

Ph : 011-41060083

Are you self-motivated, creative and a team player ? 

Do have a passion for one or more of the following issues; 
ecological, community-based, sustainability, landscapes, 
re-vitalization, on-site building, 
sustainable architecture, info-graphics? 
Then write us to become a part of the team in Delhi !

Contact : arch.iplatform@gmail.com

Phone   : 011-41060083

Spot C : September 2012

13th September 2012, 18.30 Hrs

at arch i

About the Speaker

Krishnendu Bose

KRISHNENDU BOSE, set up Earthcare Films, making wildlife and conservation films after acquiring a Masters degree in Economics from Delhi School of Economics (1985).

Harvesting Hunger – a film on the politics of food in India won the Special Jury Award at Okomedia Environment Film Festival in Freiberg, Germany in 2000 and awarded at the EarthVision Environment Film Festival in Tokyo 2001. His last film is on the tiger crisis- Tiger- the death chronicles got the coveted Wildlife Conservation Award at the 4^th Vatavaran Film Festival 2007, Delhi and Conservation Award at the International Wildlife Film Festival at Missoula, Montana in 2008. The Latent City, his film in 2009 was showcased at the Indian Panorama, at the International Film Festival of India 2009 and was awarded the Grand Prix, for the best film, in Dokument Art Film Festival, Romania.  He was also awarded the highest award for documentary filmmaking in the field of Environment and Wildlife in India- CMS-UNEP Prithvi Ratna Award in 2009. Krishnendu has produced the first wildlife series for children in India in 2011.

Along with producing films, he has been instrumental in setting up a non profit trust called ECO (Earthcare Outreach Trust) which uses Participatory Video to help young adults and children make visual narratives about themselves and the world around them. He is also involved in conducting sessions on environment education in schools and colleges, using his films as a medium. He is a guest faculty in top communications schools in India like Symbiosis and National School of Design.

For more info : http://www.earthcarefilms.com/

Screening of

The Latent City

Delhi. This city is old: 2,500 years old. The city as a palimpsest, layers of accumulated history and memory. The city transforms. The water turns black. The trees turn yellow. The city turns a foggy green. And the poor turn to dust. Dialectics. The city is transforming to become more efficient and modern. A thought emerges. Selected artists from all the world over and India are invited to this city. In its transformative moment. To create art, in the everyday. Eight politically charged spaces are identified to be excavated and transformed by the artists. In heat climbing to 48 degrees Celsius, a reminder of our warming cities. The first public art ecology project in India is shaped, during ten days in December 2008. Cameras whirr and a film re-constructs the art. An attempt is made to record and transcend the imagery. Using snatches of artist conversation, splicing their politics and performance, a video re-presentation is sliced in between the chronicle of the disappearing city. Scattered written words unlock the larger narrative of the city and create a debate around the disabling of publics and public spaces. A film re-surfaces, nudges us to re-examine the latent citizenry. Urges to re-imagine the future of our cities, through the "eye glass" of public art.

16th August 2012, 18.30 Hrs

at arch i

About the Speaker

Seema Bhatt

Seema Bhatt,  a graduate from the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies, is an independent consultant working on issues related to ecotourism, biodiversity and climate change across the Asia region.  Her particular focus of work is on strengthening the links between conservation of biodiversity and livelihoods of local communities and she sees ecotourism as one such link. She continues to work extensively on ecotourism issues in South Asia and has co-authored a book on Ecotourism Development in India published by the Cambridge University Press.  In 2008, Seema was affiliated with the Centre for Responsible Travel (CREST) in Washington DC, USA as a Fulbright Scholar. She is also a member of the Ecotourism Society of India. 

For more info : http://seemabhatt-ecotourism.blogspot.in/

                      http://www.kalpavriksh.org/index.php/kalpavriksh-members/123-seema-bhatt.html

Topic of Discussion

Responsible Travel: Does it Benefit Conservation and Local Communities? Experiences from India

Tourism as conducted in the conventional sense has never really benefited local communities and has also caused more harm than good to surrounding ecosystems. Of late there have been efforts to make travel more responsible. India recognizes this as ecotourism. Ecotourism or tourism carried out in a responsible and sustainable manner can potentially enhance the livelihoods of local people, and also ensure that fragile ecosystems do not degrade. The talk looks at the some significant economic, environmental and social impacts that conventional tourism has had on the country. It then examines five initiatives from different parts of the country that are practicing attempting to balance the needs of the community while also conserving fragile ecosystems. These initiatives also have a range of different players. The   speaker will discuss different aspects that need to be kept in mind for the concept of responsible tourism to gain more popularity.

Delhi Dialogue 5

NO Kidding!

Text by : Tanvi Maheshwari

Edited and Curated by : Anne Feenstra and Kushal Lachhwani

Published : October, 2011

Delhi Dialogues

Following the tremendous response to Delhi 2050 Travelling Exhibition, arch i Platform has curated a five part series- Delhi Dialogues, in the Indian Architecture Monthly, Indian Architect and Builder. Part 1, 2, 3 & 4 have been published in the May, June, July & August issues.

The Sustainable Multi-polis
By Ton Venhoeven,
National Advisor for Infrastructure,

Ministry of Infrastructure and Environment,

The Netherlands

Published : May 2011

Delhi (Re)generates
By Ashok B. Lall, Shruti Narayan, Sushma Shetty

Published: June 2011

Shaping Delhi
By Tanvi Maheshwari
Published: July 2011

Design 4 Better City
By Various Authors

Published : August 2011

About Indian Architect & Builder
Indian Architect & Builder'(IA&B) magazine, India's leading AEC publication and one of the premier publications by 'Jasubhai Media' on architecture and design in India offers a comprehensive update on design trends along with a critique on related issues. Over the last 25 years in publication, it has continuously evolved, catering to the changing ideations and needs of the architecture, engineering and construction industry.

Binsar Eco Tourism Map (BEM)

Binsar is a true trekking paradise. The front of the BEM depicts the detail contours of the mountainous terrain of the Binsar WLS including villages, estates, view points, water points, trekking routes, distances, and places to stay including home stays and resorts. It also shows the full range of Himalayan peaks visible from Binsar. and wild animals through sketches. As Binsar is open all year round, the back of the map provides impressions of the four seasons of the WLS through photographs, stories, historical information and practical tips for tourists.

Good quality maps are vital for ecotourism promotion. They provide excellent promotional materials and they spread environmental awareness. This map is the second in the series. The first one was the Chhoti Haldwani Heritage Map (CHHM) on 16^th Dec 2010 at Chhoti Haldwani. The Community-based Ecotourism project here has received a major fillip after the publication of the CHHM. Work is in progress on Ecotourism Map of Uttarakhand, which will be ready before the next tourist season. These innovative maps are funded by the Forest Department at different scales – heritage village level, Protected Area level, State level and landscape level.

Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary (WLS) situated close to Almora, a fifteenth century town in Uttarakhand, and commanding spectacular views of Greater Himalayas is truly an ecotourist’s paradise. With rich forests containing three species of Himalayan Oaks, Chir Pine and Deodar, an intact under story of herbaceous vegetation and phenomenal bird life and wild animals, Binsar WLS harbours one of the last remaining natural patches of Temperate Broadleaved Forests in Middle Himalayas.

The WLS is the only Protected Area in Uttarakhand that is open round the year for visitors. Binsar WLS annually receives over 27,000 visitors including 800 foreigners. Walking inside the WLS is permitted on the 62 km. of designated trails. Visitors can stay inside WLS in home stays offered as part of Community-based Ecotourism initiatives or at the Forest Rest House run by Forest Department. Or they can explore camps and lodges on private estates. In addition to enjoying Himalayan views, bird watching, trekking and plant study, river rafting can be done in nearby Saryu River and angling at Seraghat or visit the famous Jageshwar temple. Watching Himalayas on moon lit nights during winters is an unforgettable experience!

“Village ways” programme under which villagers have established home stays in five villages has received both national and international awards. ‘Eco Camp Binsar’ is highly regarded as a successful eco-lodge. Close to the peak, ‘The Binsar Retreat’ is one of the finest camps in the region. Binsar Forest Rest House is one of the best FRHs of Uttarakhand. And the WLS has many more other home stays and authentic resorts.

The Delhi2050 blog site is now online! check out www.delhi2050.com

Delhi 2050

www.delhi2050.com

Chhoti Haldwani Heritage Map

We at arch i, have been working on a map for Chhoti Haldwani, Jim Corbett's village in Uttarakhand which was launched by the governor of Uttrakhand Ms. Margaret Alva in Chhoti Haldwani on 16th December.

The map itself is a tribute to Jim Corbett, his legacy, as well as a tool for education and awareness about the rich biodiversity of the forests of Uttarakhand and the colourful culture of the Kumaoni people.

“Agriculture Heritage Map” of Chhoti Haldwani

Marks the commencement of the 75^th Jubilee year of Corbett National Park.

The first ever Heritage map of Chhoti Haldwani, Jim Corbett’s village in the foothills of Kumaon will be launched on 16 December 2010. The map is an initiative of the eco-tourism wing of the Forest Department of Uttarakhand and conceptualized and designed by Delhi based platform for architecture and research, arch i. It will be unveiled by Margaret Alva, Governor of Uttarakhand in Jim Corbett’s old house in the village and now a museum in his memory.

Chhoti Haldwani, once envisioned as a model agricultural village by Jim Corbett, is today being revived by the forest department of Uttarakhand as a model eco-tourism community. Arthur Dillman of GTZ Bank calls Chhoti Haldwani “the best community based eco-tourism initiative in Uttarakhand”.

About Chhoti Haldwani

Resting in the foothills of the Kumaon region in Uttarakhand is the quiet little village of Chhoti Haldwani. This village was once owned by the famous hunter turned conservationist of British India, Jim Corbett, or ”Carpet Sahib” as he was popularly called by the villagers. He bought this small hamlet of 221 acres for a sum of 1500 rupees from Guman Singh Barua to develop it into a model village and helped about 10-15 tenants to settle here in 1915. He built houses for them, encouraged agriculture, developed irrigation systems and helped build a wall around the village to protect crops and villagers from wild animals. Even today he is much loved and revered by the 142 families, about 750 people, that live here.

About the Initiative

In April 2010, Rajiv Bhartari from the eco-tourism wing of Forest Department of Uttarakhand approached Arch I Platform with the idea of mapping the heritage of Chhoti Haldwani. In September 2010, work on a map of Chhoti Haldwani began. This village with its rich past is not short of stories to share, which have been narrated through this map. Most importantly, this map takes Chhoti Haldwani beyond its glorious past, and looks towards the future. Jim Corbett and his role in the history and development of Chhoti Haldwani cannot be ignored, and has been paid due homage in this map. A timeline highlights the history of the village and Corbett’s role in it. Concurrently the timeline looks upward to the present and the future. It talks of the rich biodiversity, the flora and fauna, the agriculture, local crafts and traditions etc. This map is not only an aid for tourists and an identity for the village, but also a tool for education and further awareness about forests, wildlife and nature, which are moving further and further away from civilization.

Hope this mapping of Jim Corbett's legacy is intriguing and someday you experience & explore Chhoti Haldwani.

We at arch i have been working on "Kargyak Learning Centre" in the Zanskar valley in Kashmir, for the last one year. Here we are sharing a few snapshots of the projects and a few words about it.

Event For August

Topic : Contemporary Architectural Practice in India

Speaker : Ragupathy Sambasivam

Time : 4:00 PM, Saturday, 28 August

Venue : arch i platform, 150, second floor Kailash Hills

RSVP:

arch i: 011-41060083

Apoorv: 9999321976

Event for July

Topic : Some water bodies of Delhi

Speaker : Sohail Hashmi

Time : 5:00 PM, Saturday, 10 July

Venue : arch i platform, 150, second floor Kailash Hills

Please RSVP

Arch i camp : +91 11 41060083

Himanshu Lal : +91 9999411077

Event for June - Heritage cities and their Suburbs

We thank conservation architect Gaurav Mathur for the highly enriching and stimulating discussion recently held at arch i platform as a part of our monthly discussion series.

The issue of harmonizing heritage passed down over generations with contemporary or new construction, has perplexed architects, conservationists and urban planners for a long time. Several debates have been spurred and many questions left unanswered.

While the discussion reinforced the fact that there is no one solution, what is for certain is that a bottom up approach could aid a better solution.

The audience and the speaker, shared ideas and personal experiences, their own unique solutions. While there is no prototypical design which will fit all situations, sharing these unique ideas and approaches can definitely inspire designs.

arch i would like to document these experiences and create a common archive for public use. All are welcome to contribute and help it grow.

CINEMA URBANISM - Architectural Discourses on Cinema - Apr-May 2010

arch i platform recently concluded "Cinema Urbanism" a series of screening, lecture and discussion, at Goethe Institut, New Delhi. The event received an overwhelming response and much appreciation from all quarters.

Following are glimpses of the event.

Event for June

19th June 2010, 1100 Hrs

About the Speaker

Gaurav Mathur

He is an architect currently practicing in Jaipur. He is graduate in conservation studies from CEPT university in Ahmedabad. He is currently teaching in Aayjan School of Architecture in Jaipur and is an advisor IIFA (department for architecture and interior design).

Topic of the Discussion

Heritage Cities and their relation to Suburbs

At the arch i camp at: 150,2nd Floor, Kailash HIlls. New Delhi-110065

Date: 19 June 2010 (Saturday)

Time: 1100 Hrs

Event for May

8th May 2010, 1700 Hrs

About the Discussion

" In people's minds, education is synonymous with schooling. This equating is sad, for it has robbed it of its core meaning and deeper importance in human society, as my experience exploring multiple facets of 'Learning' for the last 13 years at Manzil brings out.

I'd like to share my learnings about 'Learning', and lead up to Design as a common connecting link between my work and architecture. Institutional learning spaces like school or those of higher education are really designed 'structures' addressing the human need for systematic learning, just as buildings are designed structures addressing the human need for systematic management of space.

I'd like to explore how both are burdened by past legacies that obstruct bringing new learnings into our practice, and jointly explore how we can go past. I'd like to especially focus on the particularly harsh effects of this 'business-as-usual' continuation on our planet's operating system (ecology) that we are only beginning to understand. "

About the Speaker

Ravi Gulati

He is an Indian social activist who runs the Delhi based NGO, "Manzil" which gives school tuitions to the underprivileged. He graduated with an MBA from IIM Ahmedabad. Ravi Gulati began his corporate career in Canada only to give up eight months later. He returned to pursue a hands-on course in Environment Education from CEE, Ahmedabad. He was then involved with Trees for Life (later HIMCON), an NGO working with rural Himalayan communities. He is a board member of Jansamarth, an NGO working in remote Himalayan villages for generating electricity through micro-hydro power plants for lighting and livelihoods.

At the arch i camp at: 150,2nd Floor, Kailash HIlls. New Delhi-110065

Date: 08 May 2010 (Saturday)

Time: 1700 Hrs

arch i and Goethe Institut invite you to the three-part film screening and discussion series,

CU : CINEMA URBANISM

Architectural Discourses on Cinema

About the event

CITIES, real or imaginary, have always been integral to cinema, as the stage where its stories play out. The urban spaces are not just a backdrop to the narrative, but form an integral part of cinematic storytelling. Films understand and capture these spaces in a manner more intense and perceptible than architects and urban planners.

Through three evenings of feature film screenings, we will journey across diverse urban spaces and a progression of time periods. In this process we will be guided by film experts, who will engage with the audience, by raising critical questions and presenting new perspectives. CU is not just a film festival but an attempt to put architecture and cinema in dialogue.

THE FORMAT of the session will be a discussion or an open dialogue between the expert and the audience. Through various film clips, the experts will discuss a particular aspect of cities and architecture in cinema.

All three experts for the three evening have varying fields of study and interest. They include a film maker, a cinema studies scholar and an architect. Consequently, the audience will also be eclectic, ranging from architects to photographers, film makers, or simply film enthusiasts.

Program

Three sessions on Friday evenings (30 Apr, 7 May and 14 May) 7pm at Sidhartha Hall in Max Mueller Bhawan

Session ONE

Date: 30 April

Time: 7 p.m.

Speaker : Ms. Ranjani Mazumdar

Title : Cinematic City - An introduction to understanding cities in cinema

About the speaker

Associate Professor of Cinema Studies at the School of Arts & Aesthetics, Jawaharlal Nehru University. She is also an independent film maker and author of the book "Bombay Cinema, An Archive of the City.

About the session

The session will focus on the particular ways in which cinema emerges as an archive of 20th century urban life. Journeying through iconic film clips of world cinema, the session will foreground the architectural, psychological and kinetic imagination of the cinematic city.

Session TWO

Date: 7 May

Time: 7 p.m.

Speaker : Mr. Aftab Jalia

Title : Nothing comes out of Nothing – Fantasy, Utopia and Dystopia

About the speaker

An alumnus of the Aga Khan Program for Islamic Architecture at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Beyond his interests in contemporary architecture, he is an ardent observer of parallel graphic expression – including comics, movies and architecture.

About the session

Film and architecture are similar in many ways. Both promise us the discovery of the unknown; both are products of intense design; both can be read and presented through multiple interpretations; they are both stories that visually unfold. The session will look at the camaraderie of these two formidable companions as they work together to create enchanting visual poetry.

Session THREE

Date: 14 May

Time: 7 p.m.

Speaker : Ms. Ein Lall

Title : Rural Virgin, Urban Whore - The Great Indian Divide

About the speaker

A film maker who uses video documentary to celebrate the unique strength and creativity of women. She has directed several films which have participated in various international film festivals.

About the session

The session will look at the dichotomy between the urban and the rural in the Indian context. Excerpts from various films will illustrate this great Indian divide, and its cinematic interpretation through time and places.

For more information contact :

Goethe-Institut : 011-23471292/112

arch i : 011-41060083, 9999321976