1.4. Modern Architectural Education

Welcome to the course; disaster recovery and build back better, my name is Ram Sateesh, I am an Assistant Professor in Department of Architecture and Planning IIT, Roorkee. Today, we are going to discuss about how to teach disaster recovery and build back better in built environment education. So, this lecture is being prepared based on my own experiences for about 2 decades how I have been involved both as a student and as a faculty in different cultural and environmental setups.

The speaker, Prof. Ram Sateesh Pasupuleti, introduces a course focused on disaster recovery and how to improve education in the built environment regarding these topics. He emphasizes that his insights come from two decades of experience as both a student and a faculty member, having worked in various cultural and geographical contexts. This background provides him with a comprehensive understanding of the challenges involved in teaching these vital topics in architecture and planning.

Imagine learning to drive a car not just in theory but while driving in different cities, climates, and conditions. Just like a driver gains experience from various environments, the speaker has gained varied insights into education from different cultural settings, enhancing his ability to teach disaster recovery.

So, how disaster has been integrated in the curriculum, in the education and the methods which were adopted and in fact, some of the courses which were actually executed by me and where I keep testing different methods of how to teach the disaster risk reduction and build back better for the built environment professionals especially, for architecture and planning students in India, UK, Mediterranean countries and in Sweden.

Prof. Pasupuleti discusses the integration of disaster-related themes into architectural education. He mentions that various teaching methods for disaster risk reduction (DRR) and building back better have been tested in different regions, including India, the UK, Mediterranean countries, and Sweden. This shows that DRR is a global concern and requires diverse teaching strategies tailored to each context.

Think of a cooking class where the instructor shows how to make a dish using local ingredients from different regions. Similarly, in his courses, the professor adapts his teaching on disaster recovery to incorporate local contexts, making lessons more relevant and impactful.

When we start about architecture or planning or urban design any of these studies which are related to the built environment orientation, in the past, we mostly have talked about the monumentality of the architecture.

The speaker reflects on how architectural education has historically focused on iconic structures and the grandeur of architecture. This approach, which emphasizes the significance of monumental buildings, has dominated the study of architecture and planning. However, this focus needs to expand beyond just monumental works to include contemporary issues like disaster recovery.

Consider visiting a historical museum where large, impressive paintings get all the attention. While these paintings are important, there are also smaller, everyday items around that tell significant stories. Just like those smaller items, modern architectural education needs to recognize the importance of addressing practical, real-life issues like disaster recovery alongside grand designs.

When we talk about the shared visions... it is very important that we have to move from singular vision to a shared vision because many at times they notice that a singular vision process have failed apparently.

Prof. Pasupuleti emphasizes the transition from a singular vision in architecture—where one person’s perspective dominates—to a shared vision that includes multiple stakeholders and their inputs. This collaborative approach fosters better outcomes in design and planning, as various perspectives are considered, ultimately leading to more effective solutions in disaster recovery and urban planning.

Imagine planning a community garden. If only one person decides on the flowers, fruits, and layout, some community members may not like it, leading to a failed project. However, if everyone contributes ideas and opinions, the final garden can be a wonderful blend of everyone's preferences, leading to greater community satisfaction—this is the essence of shared vision in design.

But still the gap between the rich and the poor is ever increasing... there are challenges for poor and there are challenges for the rich, it is a very diverse challenges, it is a very incomparable challenges which both the groups are facing today.

This chunk addresses the socioeconomic divide that exists in society, highlighting that both rich and poor face unique challenges. The rich may encounter problems related to urban planning and sustainability, while the poor often struggle with basic needs and disaster resilience. Understanding these distinct challenges is essential for developing effective disaster recovery strategies that consider all demographics.

Think of a community that is divided by a river. On one side, residents have large, well-designed homes, while on the other, families struggle to find shelter. Each side has different priorities and needs—understanding both allows planners to create solutions that benefit everyone, reducing conflicts and improving overall resilience.

--