Past TEDx event

TEDxISME Bangalore

Society and Culture in a Rapidly Changing Urban Landscape

Took placeNovember 29, 202510:00 AM - 1:00 PM (GMT+5:30)
LocationBengaluru, Karnataka, India
FormatUniversity
Our cities are undergoing unprecedented transformations—sprawling populations, technological advancements, and global migration are reshaping urban life at an extraordinary pace. In this rapidly changing urban landscape, society and culture are not just evolving; they are being reinvented. This talk explores the complex interplay between urbanization and human experience, highlighting three critical dimensions that define our cities today. First, we delve into urban belonging in multicultural cities. As cities attract people from diverse ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds, new forms of community and identity emerge. How do individuals and groups navigate cultural differences to create a shared sense of belonging? What challenges and opportunities arise from this rich diversity? We will explore stories of inclusion, hybridity, and sometimes exclusion—illuminating how urban residents actively shape the social fabric of their neighborhoods and redefine what it means to belong. Next, we examine the future of urban commons and public spaces—the heartbeats of any city. Parks, squares, markets, and streets have long served as arenas for social interaction, cultural expression, and political activism. Yet, in the face of rapid development, privatization, and digital shifts, these spaces face unprecedented pressures. This segment investigates innovative approaches to preserving and reimagining public spaces that foster social cohesion, creativity, and democratic participation, ensuring they remain accessible and welcoming for all. Finally, the talk focuses on urban issues and the change makers who are tackling the pressing challenges of our time. From affordable housing shortages and environmental degradation to social inequality and infrastructure strain, urban problems demand urgent solutions. Here, we celebrate the visionaries—activists, planners, artists, and community leaders—who are pioneering inclusive, sustainable, and equitable models of urban living. Their efforts demonstrate how cities can become laboratories for social innovation and resilience, where culture and society not only adapt but flourish amid change. By weaving together these themes, this talk aims to inspire a deeper understanding of how society and culture intersect with the physical and social transformations of our cities. It calls on us to imagine urban futures that embrace diversity, nurture belonging, and empower communities—reminding us that the soul of a city lies in its people and their shared stories.

Speakers

Speakers may not be confirmed. Check the event website for the latest lineup.

  • Arunjot Singh Bhalla

    Arunjot Singh Bhalla is an accomplished Urban Designer and Architect with over 35 years of experience in India and abroad. As one of the founding professionals of RSP India, he leads a team of 700+ professionals across eight offices in India and Dubai. Under his leadership, RSP has delivered over 350 million sq. ft. of projects across 36 cities for leading global corporations and developers. His diverse portfolio spans mixed-use, commercial, IT campuses, retail, residential, and interior design projects. Featured in the Forbes India’s Top 30 Architects (2021) and ITP Media’s Hot 100 Architects (2025), Arunjot continues to drive RSP’s growth with a strong focus on strategy, design excellence, and sustainability.

  • Divit Garg

    Divit Garg is a Grade 11 student with a deep interest in urban design and sustainable development. He has received awards by the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the Architectural Foundation at San Francisco in international design competitions for his innovative and sustainability focused design ideas. His work with NGOs has allowed him to contribute to small-scale development initiatives, where he explored the use of upcycled, eco-friendly materials to develop community playscapes for children and animals. Representing the voice of the younger generation, Divit looks forward to helping build the future of sustainable cities. He plans to pursue entrepreneurship in infrastructure and real estate to address the evolving needs of the future.

  • Manivannan P

    Major Manivannan Ponnaiah, a 1998-batch IAS officer of the Karnataka cadre, holds a degree in Chemical Engineering and a Master’s in Public Administration from Harvard Kennedy School, where he was also an Adrian Cheng Fellow in Innovation. He is the first officer from his cadre to join the Territorial Army in 2014. Serving in Karnataka since 1998, he has held several key positions, including Commissioner of Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation, Deputy Commissioner of Mysuru, and Secretary for Labour and as Principal Secretary of the Social Welfare Department until late 2025 and is currently serving as Commissioner of the Bengaluru Development Authority (BDA).

  • Nisha Mathew Ghosh

    Ms Nisha Mathew Ghosh is an Architect, and Strategist in the space of communities and ecologies. She is a Co Founder of Mathew and Ghosh Architects who have designed some of Bangalore's landmark public architectures such as The National Military Martyrs Memorial by BDA and The Freedom Park by BBMP amidst other public spaces. She is also the founder of Mathew and Ghosh sustainable CREATION care Foundation which creates solutions in the space of communities and environment using a multi-stakeholder approach. Her present keen interest in the urban sphere is especially with respect to the large migration of people groups and how the city must respond. She curates immersive workshops for students and professionals for the awareness of sustainability through the Foundation. She can be contacted at nishamathewghosh@gmail.com

  • Ravi Sreedharan

    Mr. Ravi Sreedharan is the Founder and President of the Indian School of Development Management (ISDM), an institution pioneering the creation of a new discipline — Development Management — to transform leadership and management in the social sector. After a distinguished international corporate career spanning over two decades, Ravi transitioned to the development sector. The question that bothered him was why is it that the unprecedented economic prosperity is leaving so many people behind in poverty and the margins. His early work in the social sector across the length and breadth of this country built his realization that development work needs its own principles of management, distinct from those of business and public administration.

Organizing team