Sobia Rafiq

About Sobia Rafiq

Sobia Rafiq is an Urban Development Professional with over 10 years of work experience. She graduated in 2011 with a B.Arch degree from Manipal University and in 2014 with an MSc. in City Design and Social Science from the London School of Economics and Social Science (LSE) Cities. As an architect, she has primarily worked in the Social Sector in the redevelopment of villages and housing in slums and low-income communities. As an Urban Planner, she has anchored several innovative projects with respect to Sustainable Mobility, Waste Management, Public Space Design, Water Management, and Governance. Her commitment to solving complex environmental issues in Indian Cities has led to her working with various actors ranging from government bodies and private organisations to local communities. She co-founded Sensing Local in 2016, a Bengaluru-based Urban Living Lab that applies an evidence-based systems approach to urban planning through participatory planning and design. She has a holistic understanding of how Indian Cities work and is an active advocate for building inclusive and sustainable cities.

Experience

1. Regional Representative

   Placemaking India

   Oct 2022 — Present · Bengaluru, IN

Education

• Sophia High School

  High School

  1992 — 2006

• Manipal Academy of Higher Education

  B.Arch

  2006 — 2011

• The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)

  Master's Degree

  2013 — 2014