Mar 25, 2024
The Kerala Netherlands Water Dialogue organized by The Department of Architecture and Planning at NIT
The Department of Architecture and Planning at NIT Calicut successfully organized a four-day workshop cum symposium as part of the Indo Dutch Design Programme from March 25th to March 28th, 2024. Led by Dr. Mohammed Firoz C, Head of the Department, along with Dr. Amrita PK and Dr. Anjana Bagyanathan, Assistant Professors, the event aimed to explore strategies for preserving and conserving water bodies in Kerala, particularly focusing on the Akalapuzha River region of Kozhikode.
A key collaborator in this endeavor was the esteemed Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) from the Netherlands, renowned for its Circular Water Stories Lab.
The symposium titled “The Kerala Netherlands Water Dialogue” featured distinguished guests including Dutch Consul General Mr. Ewout de Wit, Attaché for Science, Technology, and Innovation of the Netherlands Innovation Network - Sandra Kalidien, and Policy Adviser to the Dutch Embassy Arun Thekedath.
Dr. Inge Bobbink, Associate Professor at TU Delft, delivered a compelling talk on "Dutch Landscape and the Circular Water Stories of the Netherlands." Dr. Anjana Bhagyanathan, Assistant Professor at NIT Calicut, shed light on "Traditional Landscapes of Kerala."
A round table discussion on the "Role of Academia and Knowledge Institutions in Transdisciplinary Water Projects" was moderated by Monica Veras Morais of TU Delft, Naeema Ali of Vitteveen + Bos Architects Dubai, and Amina Chouairi of Università Iuav di Venezia (Italy). The discourse delved into interdisciplinary approaches to address water management challenges.
The event provided a platform for meaningful exchanges of ideas, expertise, and collaboration between Indian and Dutch academia and industry stakeholders. Through such initiatives, NIT Calicut continues to foster international partnerships and contribute to sustainable development efforts in the region.
