Bio
Aishwarya Venkatesh is pursuing a Master’s degree in Urban and Community Planning at Pratt Institute. She earned a Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch.) from Anna University in Chennai. With a diverse background in architecture, Aishwarya has worked as an architectural and interior designer, project manager, construction supervisor, and urban researcher. She is passionate about enhancing resilience in coastal communities, focusing on disaster risk reduction, stormwater management, and creating urban frameworks that promote sustainable, equitable, and inclusive development. A strong advocate for self-sustaining neighborhoods, Aishwarya is eager to address the challenges of gentrification, support economic development initiatives, and preserve the unique character of neighborhoods. Her experiences in community-driven initiatives have deepened her commitment to participatory design and collaborative decision-making. Through this fellowship, Aishwarya seeks to explore strategies for dismantling systemic inequalities while honing her skills in collaboration, communication, and social justice advocacy.
