Prasanna Atmaram Desai

Prasanna Atmaram Desai

Architect Urban Designer

| Prasanna Desai Architects

Prasanna Desai runs an architectural and urban design practice in Pune emphasising the role of an architect in the Public Domain with a people participatory approach focusing on Equity and Empathy to Evolve an approach in Affordable Housing for the Masses as well as Safe & Socially Shared Streets leading to creation of Healthy Hygienic & Humane Neighbourhoods. Currently he is the Professor & Director at P.V.P. College of Architecture, Pune & has been the guiding force in establishment of Forum for Exchange & Excellence in Design FEED, an academic platform for students & architects in the city of Pune. 

Speaker Session/s

Walking, Waiting, Wondering: The Reality of Urban Navigation

Walking, Waiting, Wondering: The Reality of Urban Navigation

Walking, Waiting, Wondering: The Reality of Urban Navigation

Safe & Socially Shared Streets for Healthy & Hygienic Neighbourhoods

Safe & Socially Shared Streets for Healthy & Hygienic Neighbourhoods

Safe & Socially Shared Streets for Healthy & Hygienic Neighbourhoods

The roads / streets in nearly all Indian cities are the most used public spaces and unarguably, the most neglected. The Street unfortunately as of today is looked upon as a corridor of movement of Vehicles only. All other activities & needs along the street such as, cyclists, pedestrians, hawkers, informal meeting, resting & chatting spaces have gone in to the background. The prime objective in all development projects focuses mostly on Safety of pedestrians and Quality of life along with resolving the moment of traffic & parking issues in the neighborhood. Current scenario (DASHA) of Indian Streets lead to Project DISHA ( Demonstration of Integrated Safe Habitable and Affordable solutions for neighbourhood. It aims at creating Healthy, Hygienic & Humane neighborhoods by people's participatory approach and by incorporating a uniquely designed strategy. This is achieved within the existing street fabric & without widening the existing street only by streamlining the ongoing activities and reorganizing the spaces for optimization of 'The Social Street Culture’ leading to MAKING OUR CITIES WALKABLE.

The roads / streets in nearly all Indian cities are the most used public spaces and unarguably, the most neglected. The Street unfortunately as of today is looked upon as a corridor of movement of Vehicles only. All other activities & needs along the street such as, cyclists, pedestrians, hawkers, informal meeting, resting & chatting spaces have gone in to the background. The prime objective in all development projects focuses mostly on Safety of pedestrians and Quality of life along with resolving the moment of traffic & parking issues in the neighborhood. Current scenario (DASHA) of Indian Streets lead to Project DISHA ( Demonstration of Integrated Safe Habitable and Affordable solutions for neighbourhood. It aims at creating Healthy, Hygienic & Humane neighborhoods by people's participatory approach and by incorporating a uniquely designed strategy. This is achieved within the existing street fabric & without widening the existing street only by streamlining the ongoing activities and reorganizing the spaces for optimization of 'The Social Street Culture’ leading to MAKING OUR CITIES WALKABLE.

The roads / streets in nearly all Indian cities are the most used public spaces and unarguably, the most neglected. The Street unfortunately as of today is looked upon as a corridor of movement of Vehicles only. All other activities & needs along the street such as, cyclists, pedestrians, hawkers, informal meeting, resting & chatting spaces have gone in to the background. The prime objective in all development projects focuses mostly on Safety of pedestrians and Quality of life along with resolving the moment of traffic & parking issues in the neighborhood. Current scenario (DASHA) of Indian Streets lead to Project DISHA ( Demonstration of Integrated Safe Habitable and Affordable solutions for neighbourhood. It aims at creating Healthy, Hygienic & Humane neighborhoods by people's participatory approach and by incorporating a uniquely designed strategy. This is achieved within the existing street fabric & without widening the existing street only by streamlining the ongoing activities and reorganizing the spaces for optimization of 'The Social Street Culture’ leading to MAKING OUR CITIES WALKABLE.

Jan 31, 2026

Jan 31, 2026

02:30 PM

[The Supporters]

Our Sponsors

Made possible with the support of our incredible sponsors.

[POWERED BY]

[FORUM SPONSORS]

[GEN. D SPONSORS]

[WORKSHOP PARTNERS]

[DESIGN EDUCATION FESTIVAL AND MEDIA PARTNER]

[ MERCH PARTNERS ]

[OUTREACH PARTNERS]

ADI's vision is to be a world class network representing professional interests of Indian Design community, creating a meaningful interface between design professionals, people as users, the industry, education institutions and the policy makers. ADI is committed to promoting best practices in the profession of design in India by strengthening and promoting the capabilities of the Indian design profession, as well as amplifying and presenting a unified voice to influence public policy, shape the industry and benefit the people at large.

Social

© Association of Designers of India, All Rights Reserved.

PuneDesignFestival

[The Supporters]

Our Sponsors

Made possible with the support of our incredible sponsors.

[POWERED BY]

[FORUM SPONSORS]

[GEN. D SPONSORS]

[WORKSHOP PARTNERS]

[DESIGN EDUCATION FESTIVAL AND MEDIA PARTNER]

[ MERCH PARTNERS ]

[OUTREACH PARTNERS]

ADI's vision is to be a world class network representing professional interests of Indian Design community, creating a meaningful interface between design professionals, people as users, the industry, education institutions and the policy makers. ADI is committed to promoting best practices in the profession of design in India by strengthening and promoting the capabilities of the Indian design profession, as well as amplifying and presenting a unified voice to influence public policy, shape the industry and benefit the people at large.

Social

© Association of Designers of India, All Rights Reserved.

PuneDesignFestival

[The Supporters]

Our Sponsors

Made possible with the support of our incredible sponsors.

[POWERED BY]

[FORUM SPONSORS]

[GEN. D SPONSORS]

[WORKSHOP PARTNERS]

[DESIGN EDUCATION FESTIVAL AND MEDIA PARTNER]

[ MERCH PARTNERS ]

[OUTREACH PARTNERS]

ADI's vision is to be a world class network representing professional interests of Indian Design community, creating a meaningful interface between design professionals, people as users, the industry, education institutions and the policy makers. ADI is committed to promoting best practices in the profession of design in India by strengthening and promoting the capabilities of the Indian design profession, as well as amplifying and presenting a unified voice to influence public policy, shape the industry and benefit the people at large.

Social

© Association of Designers of India, All Rights Reserved.

PuneDesignFestival