A spotlight on: Senior Urban Designer Swetha Gunasekaran

Swetha is a dedicated Senior Urban Designer with eight years of experience. She started her journey in India before making the bold decision to move to the UK and advance her career. We spoke to Swetha to learn about her journey and what motivates her despite the many challenges she has faced.

How did you get into the industry and why?

I began my career journey in construction as an intern in India. This was nearly a decade ago and I initially worked on retail and residential projects.

I earned my bachelor’s degree in architecture from the School of Architecture and Planning at Anna University, a prestigious institution in South India. This degree was awarded with Merit, and I had the privilege of receiving a scholarship to support my studies.

After earning my bachelor’s degree, I joined Arun and Associates, an established consultancy in my hometown. There, I mainly worked on luxury residential development projects for private clients. I had the opportunity to be one of the lead consultants on the Model Roads Project— part of India’s Smart Cities mission.

This experience exposed me to public sector work and fuelled my passion for urban environments. I conducted mapping exercises, identified challenges, and engaged with community members, government officials and stakeholders.

In 2018, I moved to London where I studied for a master’s degree in urban design at the University of Westminster. I was fortunate to receive financial assistance through a scholarship during my master’s program.

Relocating to another country was a significant turning point in my career journey. It took a considerable amount of time to persuade my family to let me chase my dreams. The financial hurdles and cultural barriers were challenging. Despite a tough beginning, I seized every opportunity to improve my abilities and advance my career.

I was still studying to complete my master’s degree when I joined Project Centre as an Urban Designer. As a result, I learned to juggle responsibilities between working and studying part-time. I was quickly promoted to Senior Urban Designer and was put in charge of the Lewisham Market regeneration project and the West Ealing Liveable Neighbourhood (WELN) development project . These projects not only honed my project management skills but also empowered me to propose transformative changes to benefit both the community and stakeholders.

What is your favourite Project Centre’s project?

My interest lies in working collaboratively with the community and problem-solving issues that affect the development of safer and more attractive spaces. Working for the Lewisham Market regeneration project, from concept to implementation, put me through all the challenges and opportunities of upgrading public spaces. We went from speaking to concerned local authorities and a challenging community to achieving great client and community satisfaction, which is allowing us to create better spaces for everyone.

My work was highly appreciated by my client at Lewisham Council, who requested that I be assigned to the Council twice a week to help with stakeholder consultations. This recognition was particularly meaningful for someone who, in her home country, found it difficult to express her views in front of directors and decision-makers.

What are your plans for the future?

I’m currently working towards a project management qualification with the Associate for Project Management. I aspire to achieve a Master of Business Administration. This ambition stems from my belief that a strong understanding of business management is crucial in leading impactful projects.

I enjoy helping students navigate their careers and recently, I signed up to be a STEM Ambassador. I also strive to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives and the urban environments.

You’ve had some amazing achievements, what advice would you give to other women?

As a woman of colour from a conservative society back in India, I faced many challenges and scepticism at the start of my career. However, my passion for my work has helped me through all odds to send a message to young girls that with effort and enthusiasm, we can achieve more than what others think. That’s the reason I always put myself forward for mentoring or giving presentations about my career.

I also learnt the importance of being assertive as well as having a clear development plan from my previous mentors. This is something I’m transferring to my colleagues and mentees.