STC Season 6 Product – Making Water Visible: Interpretative & Signage Toolbox for Urban River Ecosystems in India

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Government of India

STC Season 6 Product – Making Water Visible: Interpretative & Signage Toolbox for Urban River Ecosystems in India

February 26, 2026

About the Event

As part of the Student Thesis Competition (STC) Season 6 Writeshop, held from 26–28 February 2026, finalist students participated in a group exercise facilitated by the RCA Secretariat. The exercise culminated in the development of Making Water Visible – Interpretative & Signage Toolbox for Urban River Ecosystems, a collaborative output that integrates RCA’s on-ground experiences from member cities with the innovative ideas of young scholars from diverse academic institutions.

The Toolbox presents a unified and recognisable interpretative and signage system tailored for urban river contexts. It aims to help cities communicate the ecological, cultural, and civic value of river systems more effectively by highlighting 11 curated riverine ecological elements. Through clear visual language and consistent design principles, it enables citizens to better understand, appreciate, and engage with sensitive urban river environments.

Designed with an emphasis on ecological sensitivity, visual coherence, and adaptability across diverse climatic and landscape conditions, the Toolbox strengthens public awareness and reinforces the importance of river ecosystems in urban life. Ultimately, it provides urban rivers with a distinct identity and a shared communication framework, supporting their conservation, management, and integration into the lived experience of cities.