An online orientation program for Master's level Urban Design and Conservation Course (UDC) was held by the Postgraduate Department of Urban Design and Conservation, Khwopa Engineering College (KhEC) on 4th Bhadra 2078 via zoom. The program was intended to orient the candidates willing to pursue a postgraduate degree in UDC at KhEC. The program was hosted by Ar. Rijina Bajracharya, Head of Architecture Department. Ar. Libas Phaiju, Head of Post Graduate Department of Urban Design and Conservation, gave a welcome speech. There was also a thesis presentation from a recent graduate of UDC in the program to make the candidates familiar with the course. Prof. Dr. Mohan Moorti Pant and Senior Architect Biresh Shah were invited as guest speakers for the very program.
Prof. Pant made an introductory presentation on the course and shed light on its importance from past to present. He further gave his insights on the depth of subject matter covered by the urban design and conservation course. He elucidated the concepts of Urban Design and its bigger frame than Architecture as it deals with the larger public as well as complex facilities on a city scale. Likewise, its linkage and variation with urban planning were also elaborated while addressing the queries raised by participants. Ar. Biresh Shah explained the sensitivity of this course in the context of growing urbanization and highlighted the urgency of implementing academic learning in reality through professional practices. He added that the role of urban planners and designers needs to be contextual rather than merely based on any imported planning models. He conveyed the strong need for communication between building blocks with its surrounding environment in modern planning to enhance the whole urban fabric and urban culture of any city as we used to have in our traditional towns. The queries made by participants were well addressed by our guest speakers. The program was concluded with a vote of thanks by the head of the department.