Bridging Vision and Innovation: SOAD Students Shine at BRAC’s Urban Development Programme 2023
On November 1st, students of School of Architecture and Design (SOAD) of Brac University were selected to showcase their Urban Design studio’s project at the annual Urban Development Programme 2023 at BRAC Centre Inn. This event was organized by BRAC, Bangladesh’s biggest microfinance company, in celebration of World Cities Day 2023.
Kazi Wasi Uddin, Secretary, Ministry of Housing & Public Works, as Chief guest and Dr. Khurshid Zabin Hossain Taufique, Director, Urban Development Directorate, as special guest and enhanced the occasion with their presence. Along with them in tow, many learned and curious minds were in attendance.
The programme was interactive and engaging. Discussions of Financing Inclusive Urban Planning and Development were prioritized through various talks on Gaibandha Master Plan, Mirsharai Upazila Master Plan, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Shilpa Nagar Master Plan and more.
Furthermore, the discussions were enriched with the visual prototypes of green energy, urban oasis and the creation of breathing spaces in the city, via the most exemplary projects of Summer 2023 and Fall 2023 students of School of Architecture and Design (SOAD).
The programme encompassed raising awareness on many common problems that the people residing in any city may face, and how best to rethink them. Tasfin Aziz, Lecturer of Department of Architecture, Brac University, had explained that rethinking is not as easy as it seems and not all solutions are workable; he said that rethinking should always be done with a holistic approach where everyone within the radius of affect is considered and thought about. Those were the design parameters set in class to invoke the notion of real life scenarios from which the top projects were brought out to be discussed and displayed.
Onlookers and guests were awed at the idea of young minds thinking of innovative solutions to practical issues and authentic predicaments in our cities. 7 of the finest scaled models of different locations starting from Hatirjheel Lake and surroundings to Rampura Canal, done by these brilliant students were exhibited.
Such a collaboration between experts in the field and of young minds with bright ideas resulted in a comprehensive event where knowledge and ideas bounced off of each other harmoniously.
