Do you think cultural landscapes should be part of your curriculum either as an elective or a mandatory subject? How would their inclusion be beneficial?
Yes, the concept of cultural landscapes should be introduced in the foundation years as part of a mandatory Related Study Programme (RSP). This would involve a study tour over the semester, complemented by exercises to help students grasp its significance. Making it a compulsory subject at this stage ensures students appreciate its importance early in their education.
Later, this can evolve into a comprehensive elective in the third year for those interested in specializing further. Those who may not pursue it as an elective will still graduate with a strong foundational understanding. This knowledge will likely influence their approach to future projects, ensuring that considerations related to cultural landscapes remain a part of their design process.
Abhijit Pandit, an architecture graduate from the Parul Institute of Architecture.