Talks
City and Ideas of the Public
Dr. Gautam Bhan
Join us for a thought-provoking session with urbanist Dr. Gautam Bhan where he explores the concept of the ‘public’ and how different groups shape and experience a city’s culture and sense of belonging.
This talk will investigate the dynamic relationship between public spaces and cultural identity. Dr. Bhan will examine how parks, streets, and communal areas serve as sites for unscripted interactions, both similar in experience and distinct in values. He will explore how these interactions trigger dialogue, shape a city’s culture.
Essential for anyone interested in the interplay between public spaces and the diverse cultures they nurture, this discussion will provide valuable insights into the broader urban experience. Dr. Bhan’s discourse will shed light on critical questions such as: Who does the city belong to? Who does it leave out? How do cultural encounters trigger dialogue and shape the collective experience of a city?
Bookings
This event is fully booked.
Dr Gautam Bhan
Dr Gautam Bhan is Associate Dean, School of Human Development, as well as Senior Lead, Academics and Research, School of Human Development at the Indian Institute for Human Settlements, Bangalore. He holds a PhD in City and Regional Planning, University of California, Berkeley.
At IIHS, Gautam teaches, researches and writes on the politics of urban poverty and inequality, urban and planning theory, housing, and identity and social practice. He anchors IIHS’ work as a Centre for Excellence with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, as well as a knowledge partner to urban movements for housing rights. As part of the School of Human Development at IIHS, he also leads work on urban welfare regimes, social protection and informal work.
