- UNM Foundation’s ‘Pratiti’ initiative honoured for redefining Ahmedabad’s green spaces through sustainable community models
- Gardeners and security teams felicitated for their year-round dedication; Awards mark collaboration between CEPT University, Khandwalla Creative Foundation, and UNM Foundation
NE ENVIRONMENT BUREAU
AHMEDABAD, OCT 30
In recognition of exemplary efforts towards creating sustainable and inclusive green spaces, CEPT University today announced the winners of the Best Parks Award 2025. Swati Bungalow Park and Sukan Park, both redeveloped by the UNM Foundation under its flagship Pratiti program, were named winners in the 1.5–2 acres and 2–2.5 acres categories, respectively.
Organised by the Master’s in Landscape Architecture (MLA) program at CEPT University under an MoU with the Khandwalla Creative Foundation (KCF), the initiative celebrates innovation, community engagement, and environmental excellence in urban open spaces.
The Pratiti program — the social and philanthropic initiative of the Torrent Group’s UNM Foundation — has become a benchmark in sustainable urban rejuvenation. It has developed and maintained nearly 8.44 lakh sq. m. of green spaces, including 17 gardens, two lakes, and an urban forest across Ahmedabad, Surat, and Daman (U.T.), along with afforestation projects at Shetrunjay Hills (Palitana). These spaces collectively attract over 60 lakh visitors annually, underscoring the growing public appetite for accessible and well-maintained urban greenery.
Significantly, Lokmanya Tilak (Victoria) Garden, another Pratiti initiative, won the 1st rank in the ‘Green Space’ category in the City Beauty Competition 2024 conducted by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA).
To honour the on-ground teams responsible for maintaining these green spaces, CEPT University felicitated the gardeners and security personnel of both winning parks. Each received a customised Gardeners’ Kit designed by CEPT, including weather-appropriate gear such as backpacks, ponchos, winter jackets, summer hats, and water bottles — symbolising appreciation for their tireless year-round work.
The Best Parks Award, instituted in 2019 by KCF Founder Prof. Pradip Khandwalla, former Director of IIM Ahmedabad, commemorates the memory of his late wife, Mrs Anjali Khandwalla, a passionate gardener. The 2025 edition marks the third in the series after 2019 and 2022, continuing its mission to promote civic responsibility and design excellence in the city’s public spaces.
The ceremony, held at the CEPT University campus, was graced by Kartikeya Sarabhai, Founder-Director of the Centre for Environment Education (CEE), as Chief Guest, along with Prof. Khandwalla, Prof. Barjor Mehta (President, CEPT), Prof. Tridip Suhrud (Provost), Ms. Anita Hiranandani (Registrar), Prof. Chirayu Bhatt (Dy Provost, Academics), Prof. Chandrani Chakrabarti (Program Chair, MLA), and senior officials from UNM Foundation, CEPT faculty, and students.
From an initial 127 parks assessed using Google Earth imagery, 36 were shortlisted through a rigorous multi-stage process evaluating design, biodiversity, environmental quality, user experience, and infrastructure. Ultimately, Swati Bungalow Park and Sukan Park emerged as exemplars of thoughtful design and sustainable maintenance.
Reflecting on the initiative, Prof. Chandrani Chakrabarti said, “At CEPT University, the Master’s in Landscape Architecture program bridges academic learning with real-world inquiry. Through the Best Parks Award, students explore how parks shape public life — spaces that foster ecological health, inclusivity, and resilience in our cities.”
The Best Parks Awards 2025 — jointly presented by CEPT University, KCF, and UNM Foundation — reaffirm the power of collaboration between academia, philanthropy, and civic engagement. Together, they exemplify how collective stewardship can transform urban landscapes into sustainable, inclusive, and vibrant community spaces.
