Mangaluru: Mangaluru Design Summit 2026 will be held on March 7 and 8, bringing together govt officials, subject experts, civic groups, students, and residents to discuss sustainable urban growth as the coastal city expands through new infrastructure, real estate development, and Smart City projects.Organised by The Ohana Community Foundation in association with St Aloysius (deemed to be university), the two-day summit is themed ‘Designing Futures, Honouring Heritage’.Event organiser Alka Manoj told reporters on Wednesday that the summit will feature more than 20 speakers from urban planning, marine ecology, waste management, heritage conservation, and governance. Speakers include Arun Prabha, general manager, Mangaluru Smart City Ltd; Divya Hegde, founder, Baeru Collective; Ashok Mendonca, architect and urban planner; Sharon D’Souza, founder, Green Xperts; Niren Jain, founder, Niren Jain Architects and Environmental Planners; and Nester Fernandes, marine biologist and nature educator, among others.Representatives from civic and community organisations, including Coastal Heritage Collective, Anti Pollution Drive, Hasiru Dala, and Animal Care Trust, will also participate.Alka Manoj said the summit comes amid rising public attention to urban challenges in Mangaluru, including flooding during heavy rainfall, coastal erosion, rising temperatures, mounting pressure on waste systems, and rapid construction and infrastructure expansion.The programme is structured around four themes: Designing with Heritage; Climate-Responsive Futures; Materials, Waste and Circularity; and Liveable and Inclusive Cities. Along with panel discussions, the summit will host hands-on workshops on terrarium building, cartography, and sustainable design. A Repair Fair will feature cobblers and tailors to promote traditional repair practices. A Green Initiatives Zone will showcase local environmental projects, the film ‘Samudrada Motte (Ocean’s Egg)’ will be screened, and an Eco-Flea Market will feature local sustainable brands.
