Tanvi
Bobhate

Tanvi Bobhate is an Architect with a specialisation in sustainability. Early in her practice as an architect in Mumbai, she realised the urgency to address environmental concerns caused by unplanned and haphazard development. This motivated her to pursue Postgraduation in Environmental Design from the University of Westminster, UK and started her work in the sustainability field. She is the Co-Founder of NZero Solutions, a company that provides Environmental design solutions to create more sustainable and healthy buildings. Her expertise lies in Green Building Certification and Sustainable Design Analysis. She strongly believes that positive change can be driven by combining engineering and innovation to create healthy and sustainable built environments.

PROJECT

The Multi-disciplinary roles have helped me understand different aspects and challenges involved in the climate action process. The steps towards adaption and mitigation work effectively by provoking behavioural changes through incentives, an approach adapted during policy implementation. To this end, my project designs an indicator that will measure the sustainability strategies implemented in neighbourhoods and their impact. The Web-based tool integrates the technical database of the relevant Sustainability parameters showing its progress in Mumbai. Sustainability factors to be included are Waste management strategies, Water management strategies, Green & Blue Infrastructure, Mobility, Access to essentials, etc. Acknowledging the challenges, the industry experts share the solutions in technical format, which may be difficult for a non-expert to comprehend and thus act accordingly. The platform aims to inform the users of the challenges in their neighbourhood directly affecting them and strategies to overcome them. This enables engagement at the local level by the local authorities, communities, NGOs, and even individuals. The tool indicates the sustainability practices in the local area, encouraging a community-led change and providing an equitable built environment for underprivileged and privileged residents of the city.

This initiative is based on the principle "What gets measured, gets managed”. Climate change is currently being discussed and addressed in the expert communities, but until the general population knows how to manage it, they will not pursue it. The tool reveals a motive to contribute at the personal and community level. When the data is understandable, then it’s acknowledged not ignored. To become resilient, the city must understand its strengths and weaknesses, and the tool will help them make decisions.

MOTIVATION FOR AND COMMITMENT TO CREATING A BETTER AND MORE SUSTAINABLE PLANET

Being born and brought up in the city, I have witnessed impacts of climate change like Flooding and Urban heat island effects worsening over time. These impacts are visible within different sectors, societies, communities, and even individuals. Everyone feels the consequences, including the low-income communities, which have fewer resources, inadequate infrastructure, and fewer means to evacuate in case of a disaster. As I see climate action, I envision communities that are sustainable, healthy, inclusive, and equal, with improved living conditions for all. I believe in bringing about this change at all levels by working together.

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