First semester is focused on reading and mapping of the city through the idea of layers. Idea of layers introduces students to multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary dimension of urban design while able to grasp and comprehend the complex nature of city as a phenomenon. Subjects like urban design methodologies, history of urban from and space, reading the city, etc. contribute to the theoretical understanding of city, subjects like landscape urbanism and site planning enhances their understanding of the natural and ecological contexts within which the human habitation and city is taking place as a cultural phenomenon. Additional subject of GIS that is offered by this course provides students the enhanced tool for correlating information from various layers. First semester studios are often based in inner city context and ends with small scale interventions.
Second semester is focused on crafting of the design language i.e. to respond through the prime tool of form and space and their syntax. Subjects like Urban Design Theories and Criticism,planning tools for urban designers, urban systems enables students to take stands, develop an argument and demonstrate their responses in terms of design. Second semester studios are also about Relative Study Programs where the project site is located outside the city of Pune that exposes students to different natural settings, physical expositions and different cultural contexts altogether. This further rationalises their reading and mapping capacities while enhancing the their understanding of the dynamic relation between people, places and their design. Second semester studios are often green field development projects that provide ample opportunities for students to test and understand the language of design in the context of human habitation at various scales.
