A 'Universal Design and Development' conference recently organised in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, emphasised on providing a design solution to all sections of the society - disabled, disadvantaged and elderly.
The conference, which was held for two days beginning on March 13, was the first such initiative in India aimed at redefining universal design with the context of development.
"The conference will help attract the attention of designers, architects, planners and the government to put to use various models and technology with simple techniques in the areas of communication, transportation, infrastructure at public spaces to create integrated inclusiveness," said Dr Balaraman, convener of the conference.
"We wanted to focus on that which has not been done in any developing country so far in the world. Developed countries like Japan, Britain and United States have worked on this but in developing countries, this is not being done. I thought it is badly needed, this particular issue to be highlighted and made creative people aware of this," he added.
The Head of Partnerships and Policy Dialogues, British Council, Dhanasekaran, on his part asserted that the organisation had a large presence in India and wanted to work with the key higher education institutions which wanted to partner with the United Kingdom-based universities in terms of developing, learning and teaching the curriculum.
"The conference that we are attending in Coimbatore is part of the designer educated study tour that British Council organised in 2013. Three of the UK delegates have come to Coimbatore to meet their counterparts and discuss with the students about the key happenings in UK currently," said Dhanasekaran.
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DJ Academy of Design organised the event in association with British Council, which works to strengthen education and cultural relations between Britain and countries overseas.
The conference made participants aware about the need to set up more design schools and architectural institutions teaching universal design in India.
A proposal focusing on key points would be submitted to the government and private designers.