Fall 2014 and spring 2015 seminars: M.R.P. candidate, city and regional planning
Taru is an architect from Delhi and holds a B.Arch. from Faculty of Architecture and Ekistics, Jamia Millia Islamia. While working for her undergraduate thesis on the current slum rehabilitation policies in Delhi, Taru became interested in the nature of informal spatial settlement patterns, informality and socioeconomic behavior. Her B.Arch. thesis looked at a slum rehabilitation project based in Delhi. Kathputli Colony, known amongst connoisseurs of folk art for its vibrant culture and artists across the world, was to be rehabilitated to livable towers as a part of a public-private partnership. While exploring the nuances of this project, the injustice and politics of the story left her with multiple questions. She further went on to work with Anangpur Building Centre, exploring sustainable city strategies in the Global South and issues around inclusive decision-making and access to resources. She joined CRP to seek answers to these layered questions. She is currently working on her thesis which looks at pushback mechanisms and the role of civil society against structural violence in the tribal areas of Jharkhand. In spring 2014, she had the opportunity to participate in research which explored planning through a gender lens, looking at structural barriers that privilege or harm certain genders over others. She is also exploring various media, like film and web design, where such issues may be addressed and discussed in a public realm.