Chitkara University Hosts International Conference on Sustainable Architecture
The Chitkara School of Planning and Architecture, Chitkara University, in collaboration with the Council of Architecture, hosted SHAPE 2026, the Council of Architecture’s international conference on Sustainable Habitats and Architecture for People and the Earth. The event brought together architects, academics, and researchers from India and abroad to deliberate on sustainable, inclusive, and future-oriented approaches to the built environment aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The conference was inaugurated by Dr. Madhu Chitkara, Pro Chancellor of Chitkara University, in the presence of Dr. Abhay Purohit, President of the Council of Architecture, and Ar. Jayashree Deshpande, Director of COA–TRC, Pune. The inaugural session highlighted the importance of collaboration between academic institutions and professional bodies in shaping architectural education and practice in response to environmental and societal challenges.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Madhu Chitkara noted that universities play an important role in linking architectural education with the evolving realities of cities and communities. “Architecture today must respond carefully to the conditions in which people live,” she said. “Academic institutions have a responsibility to encourage thoughtful engagement with environmental concerns, resource use, and the long-term character of the built environment.”
The conference featured keynote addresses and plenary discussions led by distinguished practitioners and scholars, including Ar. Peter Rich, Prof. Ali A. Alraouf, Ar. Robert Greenwood, Prof. Dr. Anupama Kundoo, Ar. Ashok B. Lall, Ar. Neelam Manjunath, Ar. Malay Deshmukh, Dr. Himanshu Burte, Ar. Swati Puchalapalli, Dr. B.S. Bhooshan, Ar. Yatin Pandya, Ar. Jeurg Grunder, and Ar. Siddhartha Wig. Their participation provided architecture students and professionals with exposure to contemporary perspectives on sustainable design, urban research, ecological planning, and architectural practice.
Alongside these discussions, SHAPE 2026 included paper presentations, panel discussions, and academic exchanges that enabled participants to share research and ideas related to sustainable architecture and urban planning.
The conference concluded as a platform for dialogue and knowledge exchange on the future of the built environment. It also reflected Chitkara University’s continued engagement with academic discussions on sustainability, architecture, and urban development.
