EDUCATION:
2013 MSc (Human Settlements), Katholieke University, Belgium
2007 BArch VTU, Belgaum
Countries: India, Tanzania, Vietnam, Belgium
States: Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat
Cities: Bangalore, Ahmedabad, Badami, Antwerp, Cau Mau
Languages: English, Kannada, Hindi, Coorgi
Prathijna Poonacha Kodira is a researcher and practitioner who works on climate change adaptation focusing broadly on how social and environmental systems respond to impacts of climate change, especially in urban and peri urban geographies. Specifically, her work looks at livelihood transitions, nature-based solutions as adaptation and the intersection of climate change and the built environment.
Prathijna is experienced in enabling and engaging in multi stakeholder processes for dialogue and decision-making using approaches such as Transformative Scenario Planning and Appreciative Inquiry. In the process, she is interested in unpacking the complexity of participatory decision making, especially in the urban context.
At IIHS, Prathijna has worked on several large multi-country, multi-partner projects including IDRC/FCDO funded Adaptation at Scale in Semi-arid Regions (ASSAR) (2014-2018), British Academy funded Urban and Peri-urban Agriculture as Green Infrastructure (2019-2022), GIZ and Resilience First funded Summary for Urban Policymakers (2022), and AfD funded Greening Urban Food Systems (2023-2024).
In addition, Prathijna is also part of the Director’s Office at IIHS since 2020, working closely with the Director, and contributing to strategic institution building processes and activities.
Prior to IIHS, Prathigna has worked as a Consultant with the Habitat Forum (INHAF), and was involved in the evaluation of the impacts and outcomes of JnNURM through a citizen sector perspective. She was a Research Associate at the Centre for Conservation Studies, CEPT, Ahmedabad where as a part of the technical team, she helped prepare the dossier for the nomination of the old city of Ahmedabad to the UNESCO’s World Heritage Cities list. She has also worked as a Design Consultant in her early career, especially in the retail sector in Indian cities.