Be it the chaotic and vibrant traditional markets of Jaipur, North India or the serene

settlements on the hills in Kodaikanal, South India, every place echoes of its story. I get
fascinated by the way different built environments can play with one’s moods. When I look
at the marvel of built environment, it feels like a beautiful conundrum. The least I could do
is make a life and career of studying and sensitively contributing to its making.
I am Anushka Kavil Alexander, an Architect by profession and an enthusiast of Art
and Built Environment. A person’s well-being starts with the surrounding s/he is in. Coming
from India, which is overly populated and in the phase of urbanization, there are a variety of
issues faced. Issues of walkability, quality of neighbourhood structure, managing the density
along with the most debated topic of sustainability are faced in most places in India and also
around the world. In the present challenging times of climate-change, adopting sensitive
measures and adapting to environmental needs, has become more pivotal than ever.
During my course of architectural study, there are programmes called RSP-Relative
Study Program in which different settlements are visited to study its making. Studies related to
topography, placement of houses, distribution of public services and infrastructure is performed
along with knowing its history.
• RSP III/III-Porbandar, Gujarat, India
As a team of 5 members, we measure-drew and studied a prominent market place. This market
plaza served as a prime public-place in city.
Among the various electives undertaken during academic curriculum, I would
emphasize on an elective called ‘Where do I Walk?’ by Professor Narendra Mangwani. This
elective proved issues of walkability in city of Rajkot, Gujarat. Insufficient footpaths, improper
road edge designs and encroachments have created havoc for pedestrians. This exposure gave
me the realization of a larger-level problem of inefficient planning.
Post bachelors, I did an internship(October 2020-December 2020) and also received an
offer letter to further continue the internship-‘Urban Planning and Design’ with TULIP(The
Urban Learning Internship Program) under MoHUA(Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs),
Government of India. I was selected for this internship for Rajkot city, from a pool of applicants
all over India. Under Smart City Mission, the city takes part in various challenges. I am a part
of ‘Streets For People’ and ‘Nurturing Neighbourhoods (recent offer letter)’ challenge,
wherein I perform rigorous case-studies, assist senior officials in meeting various stakeholders,
launching city-level design competition, analysing and finalizing the Tactical Urbanism-aided
designs, later implementing it on site, wholly as a community-led development. Doing this
internship, increased my aptitude in the required discipline, as I kept abreast with ongoing
developments in field of Urban Planning.
The esteemed Master of Community and Regional Planning(MCRP) at University of
British Columbia, is ideal for me because of its multi-cultural environment, flexibility and
innovation for coping up with issues of environment and population, and, as it would open the
spectrum to planning and policies at a world level; due to its highly accepted and renowned
Planning accreditation. I would like to focus on the Planning areas of International and Urban
Development Planning and also Sustainable and Smart Growth Planning. I regard that along
with what an architect can perform at his/her level, an urban planner can help give solutions to
the issues at a larger level for the bigger whole. I believe the transcending opportunity will give
me the chance to be sensitive and collaborative with others to bring about changes and
developments that meets the needs of present without compromising the ability of future
generations to meet their own needs.