An urban designer and architect by profession with an industry experience of more than 14 years, Manisha Balani has been working towards creating liveable cities through the adoption of sustainable urbanism and placemaking.
Gender stereotypes have existed for far too long limiting opportunities for women and contributing to the gender gap, which is even more significant at middle and senior executive levels at work. This database of women expert is important to amplify the voices of women and to push towards closing the gender gap.
Manisha Balani is an Urban Designer, Architect with an industry experience of more than 14 years working in the realm of cities and built environment. It is her constant endeavor to bring sustainable practices and people-centric approach into the design and delivery of all urban projects that she engages in through her urban design practice ‘Shaping Urban Futures.’
Before starting her venture in 2023, Manisha has worked in various capacities over the years, such as Consultant, Project Manager and Team Leader with multiple award-winning practices such as DADA Partners (Design and Development Atelier) and Tractebel Engineering Pvt. Ltd. She has been involved in varied projects that include Influence Zone Plans for TOD Nodes, City Vision Plans, Redevelopment Master Plans, Integrated Townships, High-Rise Urban Housing and Urban Transport as well as Street Design and Placemaking.
In her pursuit to act as an agent and advocate for positive urban change, Manisha also is a Visiting Faculty in the M.Arch. (Urban Design) program at Sushant University, Gurugram, India since 2016 and she constantly uses this association with academics to bridge the gaps between education and practice.
Balani, Manisha (2021) Nine reasons why Cities must save Urban Wetlands now more than ever! The Centre for Conscious Design. Weblog [Online] 13th January 2021. Available from: Nine reasons why Cities must save urban wetlands now more than ever! – shapingurbanfutures (wordpress.com)
Dandona, Nidhi and Balani, Manisha (2018) Urban Regeneration and Preservation of Built Heritage: Case of Hauz Khas enclave precinct, New Delhi. In: ICOMOS 19th General Assembly and Scientific Symposium "Heritage and Democracy", 13-14th December 2017, New Delhi, India. [Conference Paper] Available from: Urban Regeneration and Preservation of Built Heritage: Case of Hauz Khas enclave precinct, New Delhi - ICOMOS Open Archive: EPrints on Cultural Heritage