Ideas worth spreading

The architectural wonder of impermanent cities

1,981,047 views | Rahul Mehrotra • TED2019

Every 12 years, a megacity springs up in India for the Kumbh Mela religious festival -- what's built in ten weeks is completely disassembled in one. What can we learn from this fully functioning, temporary settlement? In a visionary talk, urban designer Rahul Mehrotra explores the benefits of building impermanent cities that can travel, adapt or even disappear, leaving the lightest possible footprint on the planet.

Every 12 years, a megacity springs up in India for the Kumbh Mela religious festival -- what's built in ten weeks is completely disassembled in one. What can we learn from this fully functioning, temporary settlement? In a visionary talk, urban designer Rahul Mehrotra explores the benefits of building impermanent cities that can travel, adapt or even disappear, leaving the lightest possible footprint on the planet.

This talk was presented at an official TED conference. TED's editors chose to feature it for you.

Learn more about Rahul Mehrotra's work at RMA Architects.

About the speaker

Rahul Mehrotra

Architect, urbanist

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Rahul Mehrotra is an architect working in India who focuses on institutional buildings and conservation of historic places. He is also a professor at the Graduate School of Design at Harvard University.

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This talk was presented at an official TED conference. TED's editors chose to feature it for you.

Learn more about Rahul Mehrotra's work at RMA Architects.