Conclusion

All Groups 34 CONCLUSION

Conclusion

The three months of fieldwork proved fruitful as all six groups engaged with their communities, analyzed the built environment and its systems, and constructed strategic proposals. From working with informal communities to the busy streets at the center, the students employed participation methods that highlighted the voices of residents.

Before coming to Panjim, the students were told how lucky they were that the fieldwork was taking place in Goa. They heard stories about pristine beaches, raging parties, and advanced infrastructure and municipal services compared to other parts of India. But when they arrived at Dabolim Airport (Goa International) it was quite a culture shock. They quickly realized that although the state of Goa is known as a resort destination, Panjim was much more.

. As the weeks progressed, they found the beauty in the city and its people. Things began falling into place as they learned about the history, culture and individuality of Goa, a place like no other. As foreigners, they were glared at yet tolerated, with only the occasional person trying to take photos of them. They stood out, yet in a place known for tourism, they also weirdly blended in. They developed new routines but each time they thought they had a grasp on the complexities, India would throw new challenges their way.

Working on the sites confronted their preconceived ideas about what fieldwork really means. For many of them, stepping into someone else’s neighborhood and homes felt intrusive, especially when it was obvious by their skin color and accents that they did not belong. But more times than not, they were welcomed in unexpected ways. Being offered beverages in people’s homes, having children want to show the students around the areas they are most proud of, and sparking an interest in collaboration between the community and government bodies. When working with certain stakeholders, the students also got to feel the appreciation for their work approach and the stakeholders were genuinely interested in the community-based methods, which were very different from the hierarchical way projects are traditionally organized in Panaji. The students also had the pleasure of getting to know a variety of people who actually believe in possible change, want to improve their communities, and do not let themselves get frustrated by the slow bureaucratic process.

But it was still hard. Being an intruder and knowing that they cannot make any promises to the people they felt drawn to helping , because at the end of the project, they had to go home. It is hard not to feel disheartened by this fact and the dichotomy between academic agenda and meaningful impact will always remain in this kind of project. Nevertheless, the analysis and proposals outlined above represent the passionate collaboration between the students and the residents.

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