Prasanna Desai to Deliver Keynote at Mavlankar Memorial Oration 2026
Architect Prasanna Desai will present his insights on urban design at the prestigious Mavlankar Memorial Oration today.
The 23rd Mavlankar Memorial Oration takes place on October 23, 2026.
Desai's talk focuses on creating safe and socially shared streets.
The event has a rich history dating back to 1988, featuring numerous prominent architects.
The Nagpur Centre of The Indian Institute of Architects (IIA) is set to host the 23rd Mavlankar Memorial Oration on Friday, October 23, 2026. This annual event serves as a significant platform for architectural discourse and thought leadership. This year, the oration will be presented by Ar. Prasanna Desai, a well-respected architect and urban designer from Pune, who will discuss 'Safe & Socially Shared Streets for Healthy & Hygienic Neighbourhoods.' The event is scheduled for 7:30 PM at the Grand Millennium, Hotel Centre Point, Ramdaspeth.
The Mavlankar Memorial Oration has its roots in 1988, initially established as the Late Architect D. W. Ditchburn Memorial Lecture, inaugurated by the esteemed architect Kulbhushan Jain. In 1989, it was renamed to honor Late Ar. Shyam Mavlankar, the founding Chairman of the IIA Nagpur Centre. Due to its increasing prominence, the series was elevated to the status of Mavlankar Memorial Oration in 2002, showcasing the evolution of architectural dialogue in the region.
Over the years, the Oration has welcomed numerous distinguished figures in architecture, including Nimish Patel, Prem Chandavarkar, and Mahendra Raj, among others. These speakers have contributed significantly to contemporary architectural discussions, establishing the Oration as a vital forum for innovative ideas and practices. Previous editions have also featured notable personalities like Uttam Jain and Brinda Somaya, enhancing its reputation.
Ar. Prasanna Desai, who has an extensive background in both professional practice and academia, will bring valuable insights to this year's Oration. He has served as Professor and Director at P. V. P. College of Architecture in Pune from 2008 to 2026. His work emphasizes affordable housing, neighborhood planning, and the design of vibrant urban spaces. Desai was honored with the LEXUS Design Award in 2019 for his contributions to public utility design and has been involved in the development of around 100 kilometers of urban streets in cities like Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad. Currently, his firm is engaged in street improvement initiatives for the Nagpur Municipal Corporation and Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Ltd.
As the Mavlankar Memorial Oration continues to evolve, today's event promises to further enrich the dialogue surrounding urban design and community-focused architecture. Attendees can look forward to engaging discussions and insights that will shape the future of urban living in Nagpur and beyond.
