The deliberation of the Symposium focussed on the three themes of the problem statement, and was concluded by a summing up where the participants presented a collective statement of the essential concerns.

  1. Architecture is a discipline which is concerned with defining and realising a harmonious relationship between human habitation and the environment.
  2. A reservoir of knowledge evolved over a long past which offers a great range of principles and techniques must be used as a resource to inspire and guide us.
  3. Technological advances of the recent past require that educational structures and teaching methods be made more open in scope and deeper in content.
  4. The focus of architectural education should include the rural areas where the majority of population lives.
  5. The vast numbers of economically and socially disadvantages people should be another important focus of architectural education.
  6. The sustainability of natural resources and the importance of sound ecological practices which promote a harmonious balance in the environment should be all determinant of the educational strategy.
  7. The internet and the consequent global connectivity offers the possibility of a new community consciousness which should be utilised.
  8. To encourage growth of knowledge and appropriate skills within the architectural profession, the educational system requires to be made more democratic, ensuring operational autonomy to each educational institution, and making community involvement a feature of professional accountability.
  9. The design studio is distinctive ad essential feature of architectural education. This has to form the core of academic framework.
  10. Theoretical studies need to be fully integrated with project work in the design studio.
  11. The extensive repertory of crafts and indigenous building techniques should be an important source of learning by first hand experience on the site.
  12. Examination systems need to be devised which reflect the unique character of the studio based learning strategy.

In order to realise these objectives, there is an urgent need to clarify the operations of the regulatory bodies.

These bodies include the Council of Architecture, the All India Council of Technical Education, the State councils of Technical Education and the Universities which affiliate colleges of architecture. For effective action the area of responsibility of each body needs to be defined.

The following are the levels of responsibility:- Architectural College, State Government, Central Government, International Institutions – and the actions appropriate at each level.

Architectural College

  1. Each college to identify the goals and objectives of its academic programme without waiting for anyone to deliver this from the top.
  2. Each college to identify its approach to the issues – human, social, environmental, philosophical – in its own context.
  3. Each college to evolve an academic programme incorporating this approach in design studios, theoretical lectures and workshops.
  4. Each college to prepare a research programme to support the main academic programme.
  5. Each college to develop an examination system appropriate to its academic programme.

State Government

  1. To prepare a programme of development of architectural, habitat and environmental education.
  2. To facilitate academic restructuring and improvement through financial aid and all round cooperation.
  3. To encourage research institutions, faculty development and professional development programmes.
  4. To provide moderators for college examinations as identified by each college.

Central Government

  1. To prepare a national plan for architectural habitat and environmental studies at undergraduate, graduate, postgraduate and doctoral levels in formal and non-formal streams.
  2. To open up architectural admissions to arts, science and commerce streams in formal and informal sectors.
  3. Admissions to architectural colleges to be made on an equitable basis.
  4. To promote colleges as autonomous centres of excellence in public and private sector.
  5. To allocate more resources for architectural education and to revise fee every year in relation to the cost index.
  6. To encourage research through grants, scholarships and awards.

International Institutions

  1. To facilitate cooperation amongst institutions at national, regional and local levels through faculty and student exchange.
  2. To publish relevant literature at affordable prices promoting a more appropriate approach to architecture, habitat and environment.
  3. Provide fiscal resources to support national, regional and local restructuring in the field of built environment at an affordable rate of interest.