Design for People ; Not Designers
General Introduction
Hola Amigo!! I’m Sriram Anand, hailing from the vibrant city of Madurai in Tamil Nadu, India a place known for its temples, spicy foods, and even spicier weather. They say every great journey begins with a single step, in my case, a thousand sketches, far too many cups of coffee, and a lot of last minute deadlines. After surviving the rollercoaster of architecture school, i have landed in the exciting world of a Master’s in Urban Design at Newcastle University.
Diving into Urban Design
My Early Impressions
The Urban Design course feels like i have stepped out of a tiny architectural sketchbook and into a massive city map where i can actually zoom out and see the whole picture. Gone are the days of obsessing over individual walls or windows: now i am thinking about entire neighbourhoods and how they click together like a giant jigsaw puzzle, only this one is always under construction. What stands out the most is the course is full of about collaboration. It is not just for architects and designers it is for anyone who is ever walked down a street or sat on a park bench. The mix of perspective is bot eye-opening and a bit overwhelming, and it is challenging me think beyond the drawing board. But hey, at least i am no longer just trying to figure out where to put a window! Now, i am figuring out how to design a space that people actually want to hang out in.
My Perspective
For me, urban design is all about designing for people, not for designers. It is about shaping spaces that people can actually enjoy, not just spaces that look good on a portfolio or make architects feel proud. Imagine creating a park where families can relax, not just a “green space” that’s technically a park but does not invite anyone to stay.
while architecture is about designing buildings, urban design is about shaping the spaces between them and trust me, those spaces are where all the magic happens. Life does not unfold inside a blueprint; it is in the buzzing street corners, the cozy benches, and the unexpected little moments that make cities feel alive.
Urban design feels like a giant puzzle, and I’m here to figure out how to piece it together, one cup of coffee at a time!
The Next Chapter
As I dive headfirst into urban design, my mission is pretty straightforward: create spaces that actually get people to hang out, not just walk through. I want to help build cities that are not only eco-friendly but also full of life, where everyone feels welcome, and we’re ready for whatever weird challenges the future throws at us. My dream is to mix creative design with real-world fixes—whether that’s a cool community space, a street that doesn’t make you feel like you’re in a game of Frogger, or a city that’s greener than my grandma’s garden.
In the end, I just want to make cities where people enjoy spending time and don’t need a map to find the good parts.
