University of Florida landscape architecture assistant professor Alpa Nawre has put her expertise to great use, overseeing the development plan of the Dhamori village in India. The plan looks to solve the rural problems of water supply, waste management, sanitation and boosting agricultural production, among other things.
Funded by the Landscape Architecture Foundation, Nawre led a team composed of landscape architecture students, architects and engineers. The team has also successfully involved the villagers and other stakeholders to come together to envision, fund and construct a playground and park with a see-saw, slide and colorful tire swing, much to the delight of the local children.
“I am very much impressed by the remarkable change in the village due to your involvement in letter and spirit,” Indian Parliament Member Dr. Vikas Mahatme stated in a letter to Nawre and her team. “You all have brought the people together and become part of the village community.”
Nawre hopes to involve students from UF in such work and believes that “future designers must be prepared to address such critical issues that face the majority of underserved human populations.”
To read more about Nawre’s experience in India, visit her blog at https://criticalplaces.org/dhamori-village-initiative-maharashtra-india/.
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