Shradha Chandan

Dr. Shradha Chandan, a DAAD PRIME 2023 Scholar and Scientific Associate at Bauhaus-Universität Weimar, focuses on the intricate relationships between cultural heritage, community participation, and urban transformation. Her interdisciplinary research investigates how historic neighborhoods in European cities, such as Barcelona's El Raval, serve as platforms for socio-spatial experimentation.

Currently, Dr. Chandan is working on the project "Rethinking Tangible and Intangible Heritage: Cultural Heritage in the Context of Social Transformations and Community Participation." This research explore the role of urban green spaces in requalifying public areas, catalyzing civic engagement, and fostering social innovation. A key outcome of this work is the development of an atlas of potentialities and criticalities, aimed at equipping policymakers with actionable insights for creating inclusive, sustainable urban spaces that respect and enhance cultural heritage.

Her passion for participatory governance extends beyond academic research. Dr. Chandan has recently contributed to the International Society of City and Regional Planners (ISOCARP) as part of the Young Planning Professionals Workshop, where she worked on innovative urban projects in the New Tarlac City, Philippines and Siena, Italy.

Dr. Chandan's academic journey began in India, where she completed her PhD in Urban Planning at MNIT Jaipur. Her doctoral research on Puri, a historic pilgrimage city, highlighted the complexities of sustaining cultural heritage while integrating community voices into conservation strategies. Her research interests span urban planning, cultural heritage conservation, heritage interpretation, and participatory methodologies. She strives to work towards inspiring innovative approaches to reimagining civic spaces and preserving heritage in the face of social and environmental challenges.