Legendary town planner passes away

Kolkata: The former chief architect of Calcutta Metropolitan Planning Organisation, Santosh Ghosh, passed away on Saturday at the age of 89.
In the 1960s, he worked with renowned urban designer Gordon Cullen of the Ford Foundation to prepare the master Plan for Kolkata.

Post-retirement, Ghosh co-founded the Centre for Built Environment, a voluntary organisation comprising architects, urbanists and others dedicated to researching and developing Bengal's built environment landscape. Although his eco-responsive proposal for the Rajarhat New Town Development was never realised, it was visionary.
Born in Nawabganj, Dhaka, on Oct 23, 1935, Ghosh pursued his passion for architecture at Bengal Engineering College, where he received gold medals at both the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. As a student thought leader, Ghosh printed the first series of architecture magazines with contributions from renowned international architecture greats, such as Le Corbusier, Walter Gropius and Marcel Breuer, whom he had personally reached out to.
He took a five-year sabbatical from his career at the CMPO to teach at California Polytechnic State University in the US and later at the University of Jordan, earning the title of ‘professor'. Ghosh's thoughts and research on architecture, urban design, conservation and restoration, urban agriculture, renewable energy and environment led to invitations to speak at international forums around the world. He published and edited the international newsletter, ‘Built Environment'.
Beyond his professional achievements, Ghosh was actively involved in the architectural community, serving as the chairman of the Indian Institute of Architects, West Bengal chapter. He played a significant role in organising the Kolkata Tri-Centenary celebrations.
He mentored countless aspiring architects, guiding them to present and publish their innovative research at various national and international platforms.
Ghosh is survived by his wife, Chinu, and his daughters, Karpurika and Mayurika.