The younger generation of architects, engineers and interior designers, who complete their graduation are too eager and aspires to make it big with their design creations at the earliest possible span of time. However, what they forget is to take a look back when they had completed their Plus 2 (12th Grade)! They all have had to strive, struggle and work hard day and night to crack those competitive exams to get State ranking to follow their dreams in their respective interested fields. Once they get admission, in India, 5 gruelling years of day and night studies, project designing, thesis writing, field visits and design the best among their fellow classmates to be the creative force of the batch – is what it takes to be called a B. Arch / B. E or a B. Interior Design.
In short, everything takes time to achieve the end results! This one adage, every youngster often forgets once they graduate to enter the professional field from being a student. Today, the competition is so fierce that many crumble due to stress and disappointment – they leave the fields they had loved so much to switch lanes, no offence here. It is very important for the younger professionals to learn the tricks of the trade by gaining knowledge from their seniors and elders in the field. However, no one has the time to teach every trick of the trade. So how would they ever learn?
Gaining knowledge means investing one’s precious time to research well and reading how great professionals had struggled early in their lives to achieve greatness. Pick up points from their arduous journeys, where and why they failed or succeeded with each project. The more you read about professional characters and individuals – the more your mind will sharpen to understand the nuances and tricks of the trade. This has been the age-old mantra to gain knowledge and it will always be this way. The real irony: The younger generation of professionals sadly spends little or no time in knowledge-gaining exercise, leaving aside a very-very few in the whole world. The GEN Z Series has been enlightening the younger generation with such priceless tips in each and every single GEN Z interview to better their future. Only when you read, will you understand the importance of real architecture and the mantra behind its success.
Kalagram- Urban Haat
From Nepal, the GENZ Series travels to Lucknow to meet architect-turned-environmental planner Radhika Agarwal. She hails from Haryana and comes from an architect – structural engineer’s family. Radhika Agarwal enthuses, “My father is an architect and my mother a structural engineer. I belong to a close-knit family of six, where conversations around the dinner table often revolved around site visits, material specifications and design challenges. Their passion for design and problem-solving naturally influenced me from an early age. Growing up in such a dynamic environment, I learned early on how the built and natural environments interact. During my academic journey in architecture, my growing concern for sustainability, urban resilience and equitable development led me to pursue Environmental Planning.”
Radhika Agarwal is currently working at Egis in India, Lucknow branch as an Assistant Planner. She strongly believes and is striving to integrate environmental sensitivity with planning practice, aiming to shape cities that are not just well-designed, but also climate-conscious and inclusive. Radhika Agarwal completed her B. Arch from Deenbandhu Chhotu Ram University of Science & Technology, Murthal (Sonepat), Haryana in the year 2020. In the year 2023, she completed her Master in Environment Planning from School of Planning and Architecture, Bhopal.
Johnny D interacts with Radhika Agarwal to explore her journey in the field and her meticulous thesis ‘Decarbonizing SMEs using Circular Economy, Uttar Pradesh’.
Kalagram – Concept Diagrams
What was your childhood ambition? Have you always wanted to become an Environmental Planner?
As a child, I was always curious about my surroundings — why certain areas were green and vibrant, while others struggled with pollution or congestion. Initially, I dreamed of becoming an architect. My passion evolved, as I started understanding the broader systems that shape our cities. Environmental Planning became a natural extension of that curiosity, allowing me to focus not only on buildings, but also on sustainable and equitable environments.
Conceptual Blue – Green Infrastructure Networks
State the reason(s) as to why chose to become an Environmental Planner rather than an Architect.
While Architecture creates spaces, Environmental Planning creates systems. I realized I wanted to work at the intersection of ecology, policy and people —planning for water resilience, clean air and sustainable mobility, rather than designing individual buildings.
Where architecture ends at the boundary wall, planning begins with the landscape, infrastructure and the people. It gave me the tools to think systemically and act holistically — to make a lasting and meaningful impact on cities’ skylines and cities that can breathe and thrive to make life better for everyone.
Decarbonising MSME using Circular Economy
How has Environmental Planning influenced your life as a student?
Environmental Planning has transformed my academic journey and the way I perceive the world. As a student, I shifted from designing static structures to understanding dynamic ecosystems, climate challenges and inclusive community-based planning. It taught me that cities are not just built environments, but also living systems that require balance between human and ecological needs. This perspective has made me more aware of the invisible forces — like policy, climate and equity — that shape our spaces. Environmental Planning has turned me into a systems thinker, which has been my most meaningful growth as a student (smiles).
Briefly tell us about your University and the Master’s Course.
I pursued my Master’s in Environmental Planning from the School of Planning and Architecture, Bhopal. The program was rigorous, interdisciplinary and focused on sustainable development, climate resilience and environmental justice. It helped me to work on real-world issues like regional planning, water-sensitive design and decarbonizing small industries.
Conceptual Diagram for Waste Management
Briefly describe the significance of your project, mentioning the Title and Location.
Title: ‘Decarbonizing SMEs using Circular Economy’
Location: Uttar Pradesh, India
My project focuses on bridging climate action with economic resilience by studying how circular economy principles can reduce emissions from SMEs —particularly in polluting clusters in Uttar Pradesh.
SMEs form the backbone of India’s economy, but are often neglected in climate discourse. Through a blend of stakeholder interviews, policy analysis and spatial data, I mapped material flows and proposed interventions such as waste-to-resource strategies, common effluent treatment plants and decentralized renewable energy.
The project highlights the potential of integrating environmental policy with industrial ecosystems, showcasing how planners can facilitate low-carbon, inclusive growth. It is significant not only for its policy relevance, but also for its scalability across other States facing similar challenges.
Conceptual Diagram for Agricultural Waste Managment
As an Intern, what is the most important lesson(s) you have learned from senior architects / planners, while being a part of a project?
The most valuable lesson was to listen to people, data and the environment. Senior mentors taught me that every site speaks and the job of a planner is to interpret it holistically. Also, to never lose sight of feasibility — ideas must meet implementation on the ground.
Which National or International architect / environmental planner has inspired / influenced you? Please specify as to why?
My journey into design and planning was inspired early on by my mother, a structural engineer, whose patient problem-solving and deep sense of responsibility shaped my foundation.
Architect Anurag Khandelwal of Wood Style further influenced me during my studies, with his innovative use of wood to create sustainable and nature-connected spaces. His work deepened my appreciation for blending tradition with modernity. Internationally, Ian McHarg’s philosophy of ecological planning and designing with nature profoundly impacted my worldview.
These mentors collectively taught me that as planners and designers, we are not just creators, but also are responsible stewards of the environment and society.
Kinetic Architecture Evolution towards Sustainability
What role do you perform as a Project Associate at the Directorate of Environment, Lucknow?
I support climate-resilient planning and policy implementation at the State level. This includes analyzing policy developments, preparing reports and collaborating with stakeholders across departments for better environmental governance in Uttar Pradesh.
What are the current prospects and challenges of jobs’ opportunities for fresh young architects / urban planners in Lucknow, India? Elucidate briefly.
Lucknow – the Capital of Uttar Pradesh is expanding rapidly, thereby creating opportunities in government, private consultancies and NGOs. However, the challenge lies in bridging academic training with field realities — especially in governance, GIS-based planning and interdisciplinary collaboration. Young professionals need mentorship and exposure to real projects to thrive here.
Pathetic Hostile Architecture of Bus Stand Shelters
Bus Stand Shelters around the world have become iconic symbols of ‘Hostile Architecture’. Elucidate how ‘Bus Stand Shelters’ can be made commuters-friendly to protect them during rain, hailstorm and floods, so that it becomes an iconic symbol of architecture of every city in the world.
Bus shelters should prioritize human comfort and not deterrence. Incorporating shaded roofing, permeable flooring for water drainage, real-time bus info, solar panels and ergonomic seating can transform them into safe, climate-responsive spaces. Local materials and community art can also make them culturally resonant icons.
Steel Bars as Benches designed to prevent sleeping – Hostile Architecture
Flawed urban / environmental planning in the past has seen major cities of the world getting inundated due to the ‘Earth Crises’. How can present urban / environmental planners rectify the flaws to make cities safe from getting flooded year after year?
We need to move from grey to blue-green infrastructure. Planners must restore wetlands, mandate permeable surfaces, integrate floodplains in zoning and adopt nature-based solutions. Participatory planning and climate risk mapping can ensure vulnerable communities are not left behind.
Conceptual Diagram for Textile Waste Management
Which significant aspects of the global platform ‘zerobeyond – the new frontier!’ did you like the most and why?
I appreciate how ‘zerobeyond – the new frontier!’ celebrates young voices alongside global experts. The platform’s effort to democratize design thinking and environmental discourse is powerful — it makes planning relevant and hopeful in the times of crisis.
Methodology
What is the most significant aspect of environment / urban planning that every urban / environmental planner – renowned or new comers – should adhere to, while master planning urban spaces? Elucidate your views.
Context sensitivity! Every plan must respond to its ecology, culture and community needs. Planners must engage stakeholders, respect natural systems and ensure long-term adaptability over short-term aesthetics or profit.
Exploring VCF though Green infrastructure
Looking at the past in the present, what are the futuristic architectural changes you would like to see in your home city / town? Elucidate the reasons for your vision.
In Jagadhri, Haryana, I envision pedestrian-friendly streets, revived wells and green corridors, and climate-resilient public spaces. Integrating smart water management and promoting mixed-use zoning can rejuvenate its historic identity, while making it future-ready.
Conclusion
How would you describe Lucknow’s Urban Environmental Plan with its specialties and flaws?
Lucknow blends heritage with growth. Its Nawabi-era architecture and green boulevards are commendable. However, rapid urbanization has led to haphazard construction, traffic congestion and environmental stress. There is a need to integrate heritage conservation with sustainable mobility and climate-adaptive planning.
Image Courtesy: Radhika Agarwal