Samir Mayekar’s Post

"EquitiCity": A Groundbreaking Urban Design Journey at The Bartlett School of Architecture, UCL, London   Hello, Amazing LinkedIn Network,   I am incredibly excited to present "EquitiCity," the apex of a year-long odyssey in research and innovation, undertaken during my MArch in Urban Design at The Bartlett School of Architecture, University College London.   🎯 Why Should You Care? This portfolio is more than just an academic requirement; it's a manifesto for creating more equitable cities. The standout feature? It's meticulous research. We've harnessed the power of machine learning and cutting-edge analytics to address the urban issues that matter most. 💡 Inside the Portfolio Expect to see a synergistic blend of technology and traditional urban design philosophies. This isn't merely a showcase of what I've learned but an executable vision for more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable cities. 🌍 Who Should Look? If you're a stakeholder in the future—whether you're an urban planner, architect, policy-maker, or just someone who dreams of better cities—this portfolio is for you. It's a testament to the extraordinary outcomes achievable when enthusiasm meets academic rigour.

How do we reframe the design of cities to support sustainable and culturally-connected housing alternatives? Join us at UM tomorrow night to join the conversation.

Here's a brief recollection of late Professor Al Price who we celebrate tonight: --------- In the first academic meeting of the year 2001, faculty in our department were asked to introduce themselves in alpha order of their last names. The newest faculty member in the room -- me -- was anxious for all the reasons that you might imagine, but also because her last name began with the letter ‘R.’ She had to follow Professor Alfred Price, an award winning and the senior-most faculty, revered for his sharp wit & oratorial skills. Al opened his remarks by alluding to “the distinction of being born in and raised by Buffalo,” a statement that he proudly reiterated in faculty meetings for about 20 years during which I worked with him. A consummate scholar-practitioner, he gave the best of himself to Buffalo. Planning is a blend of science & art, he demonstrated. It is a moral exercise. It is the practice of using reason to devise solutions to serve the public interest. It requires judgment, he would say. Data is not judgment, he would add. He was a generous teacher, training, & graduating some of the best minds our department has produced. His mentoring extended to his colleagues. In my own early years, he sat in the back of my statistics classroom, later giving me tips on how to be a more effective teacher. Little do my students know who saved their educational journey! Al and I were quite unlike each other: He was born in Buffalo, while I was born in Srinagar (Kashmir). Al made sure I felt welcome in Buffalo. He also demanded that I understand Buffalo deeply; but he helped me decode its history through countless stories. Importantly, Al also worked to make sure that we (faculty) do right by his beloved city & its people. When I posed an idea for Buffalo, he countered with tough questions. When I was stumped, he opened possibilities: during one planning process he reminded me to engage with the faith-based community, & proceeded to introduce me to numerous congregations that are the heart of Buffalo's East Side. He was an open-minded colleague with foresight. In 2002, when a new assistant professor (me) proposed the first food systems planning course offered by the University at Buffalo, he did not question -- as many did 20 years ago -- why urban planners ought to consider people's access to food? Of course, few today would discount the importance of supermarkets in neighborhoods. Indeed, if memory serves me right, he was one of the few (only?) faculty who showed up to cheer on my students at their final presentation on food systems that semester. For nearly twenty years, Al Price clipped newspaper articles and slid them under my door weekly, if not daily. Even today on my office door is an editorial cartoon clipped by Al. Al's insights -- or the real A I as I call it -- made many of us better students of Buffalo. May we be fitting stewards of his legacy. Thank you, Al. https://lnkd.in/gcS_VVF5

Explore the architectural transformation of Wilmington's skyline post-1885 in our latest blog post, "Wilmington's Early Skyline Evolution." Witness how Chicago's architectural leap influenced a trailblazing era in Wilmington's urban development. https://lnkd.in/e_tu--Kz #WilmingtonSkyline #ArchitecturalEvolution #HistoricBuildings

Civic Art ++ [planning items] Civic art plays a crucial role in urban planning history as it helps to shape the identity, character, and quality of life of a city. It serves as a reflection of the values, culture, and history of the community, and can enhance the overall aesthetic appeal of public spaces. -- One of the key importance of civic art in urban planning history is its ability to humanize and beautify the built environment. By incorporating public art into urban design, cities can create more vibrant and engaging streetscapes that foster a sense of place and community pride. Public art also has the power to inspire and provoke thought, promote social cohesion, and contribute to the overall well-being of residents.

And may I say, what a fabulous building it is to work in. The sense of light and space is really significant, creating an excellent working environment.

🏢 Exploring Chicago's Architectural Evolution 🏢 The skyline of Chicago tells a story of architectural innovation and urban transformation. As we delve into the city's rich history, we uncover the rise of iconic structures that have shaped its identity. Thought-provoking question: If you had the opportunity to step back in time, which period of Chicago's architectural legacy would you choose to experience? Would it be the vibrant energy of the 1920s, the resilience of the post-war era, or the ambition of the modern skyscraper age? I'd love to hear your insights below. ⏳🏛 #ChicagoArchitecture #UrbanEvolution #HistoricalInsights #CityLandmarks #ProfessionalDevelopment

Learn about the Master of Urban Design - Future Cities program in our upcoming info session on March 21st, 2024. Registration link below.

Episode 19- Community, Development & Brunch w/ Katherine Williams This episode features a conversation between me and Katherine Williams. We discuss her journey into architecture and construction, Riding the Vortex, and the importance of creating a support system to navigate life and the profession. https://lnkd.in/gxH445ny

🙏 Endorsement from Rahul Mehrotra, Chair of Urban Planning and Design at Harvard University Graduate School of Design for my forthcoming book "City of Desire" (2024, IA): "it provides a unique kaleidoscopic view of the adjustments, tactics, strategies, resistances, protocols, and manoeuvred process by which the settlement is made as well as remade every day. This is a reading that does not privilege any one disciplinary lens and instead collapses, intersects, folds, interrogates, hybridizes and synthesizes multiple perspectives to present a convincing way of seeing [such] urbanism".