The Government of Assam, through the Department of Housing and Urban Affairs (DoHUA), has initiated the formulation of the Assam Design Policy—a visionary effort to embed design thinking across all sectors of development in the state. Led by the Assam Urban Knowledge Hub (AUKH) under the Directorate of Town & Country Planning, the policy aims to establish a structured framework that integrates design into public infrastructure, governance, economic development, and cultural initiatives.
The Assam Design Policy envisions a shift from generic, borrowed design templates toward a development approach anchored in Assam’s cultural identity, ecological sensitivity, and indigenous innovation. The policy seeks to create a design-sensitive ecosystem, spanning educational institutions, public services, transport systems, and digital platforms. Although design has long been woven into Assam’s heritage, it has remained underutilized in the context of modern development; this policy aims to institutionalize design thinking with appropriate frameworks and legal backing.
Two-Day Consultative Workshop (26–27 June 2025)
As part of the policy formulation process, a two-day consultative workshop was organized on 26th and 27th June 2025 to refine the Draft Assam Design Policy. The workshop was inaugurated by:
Eminent experts including Prof. Dr. P. S. N. Rao, Former Dean, School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi; Prof. Utpal Sharma, Director, Institute of Architecture, Nirma University, Ahmedabad; and Shri Jitendra Sarma Kakoty, Director, Town & Country Planning, Assam, also graced the event.
The draft policy was deliberated across seven thematic areas, allowing experts and stakeholders to share insights, identify challenges, and contribute practical recommendations. Breakout sessions focused on developing an actionable roadmap and strategies for policy implementation.
Way Forward
The Assam Design Policy is currently under preparation. Inputs gathered during the workshop are being incorporated to ensure that the final document is progressive, practical, and context-sensitive, aligning with the long-term vision of creating a design-driven, inclusive, and culturally grounded development model for Assam.
