World Architecture Day, celebrated with grandeur on October 1, 2023, at Hotel Padmaja Premium in Bhubaneswar, was a collaborative effort by the Indian Institute of Architects (Odisha Chapter) and the Odisha State Disaster Management Authority.
World Architecture Day is an annual global observance, marked on the first Monday of October, established by the UIA (Union of International Architects) in 1985, coinciding with UN World Habitat Day. Its purpose is to honour and celebrate the architecture industry while shedding light on urban and habitat-related issues. Architecture associations and organizations worldwide join in the celebration, adhering to themes set by the Union of International Architects.
Under the theme “Architecture for Resilient Communities,” the keynote speaker, Ar. Nitin Gupta, Managing Partner at ARCOP, presented an inclusive roadmap toward a more sustainable future. He emphasized the importance of understanding the interconnectedness of stakeholders and targets, and how education, design, and planning can enhance community resilience for specific localities and populations.
The event’s objective, as stated by Ar. Swopnadutta Mohanty, Chairperson of the IIA Odisha Chapter, was to critically explore and raise awareness about how architecture can actively contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
The IIA Odisha Chapter recognized and honoured representatives from the OSDMA (Odisha State Disaster Management Authority) for their invaluable contributions in disaster management and the creation of resilient communities.
The celebration also included a heartfelt thanksgiving party, where architect volunteers and industry partners received recognition and accolades for their past contributions to the profession. The event was attended by distinguished professionals in the field of architecture, designers, faculty members from schools of architecture, OSDMA officials, and industry partners from the state.
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