Madhumita Sawant

Program Associate

Earlier, I saw cities mainly as buildings, roads, and infrastructure that shaped everyday life. But studying Architecture and later Urban Design slowly changed the way I looked at them. I began to see cities not just as physical spaces, but as spaces that create everyday experiences. Working on river and stream restoration projects added another layer to this understanding. It made me realise how closely nature, people, and cities are connected, and how important it is to think about them collectively while shaping urban spaces.

At the same time, everyday city issues like traffic, unsafe streets, poor walkability, and gaps in public transport—along with my own experiences using public transport—made these questions feel personal. I often found myself wondering how cities could work better for people in their everyday lives.

Over time, this curiosity grew into a deeper interest in mobility, public transport, and creating cities that are more sustainable, inclusive, and people-centred. Today, at Parisar, I work on sustainable mobility, while also using my GIS knowledge to better understand mobility patterns and support more informed urban planning.

Other than this, you’ll often find me painting, reading books, cooking or doing nature centered activities that keep me connected to creativity, curiosity, and nature.