Dr Sushma Patel Earns PhD with Innovative Research on Architectural Economy

Dr Sushma Patel

 Dr Sushma Patel has recently earned her PhD with a groundbreaking thesis titled "It's a small world: An Association of Architecture and a Relational Economy." In her research, she focuses on the architectural economy of Casbah, Durban. She delves into themes of islands, relationships, aesthetics, and space through the lens of collective lived experiences in the Indian neighbourhood.  

Her reason for research is to highlight how the economy in the field of architecture is undervalued. “Aesthetics often override aspects such as cultural and relational economies,” she says. The neighbourhood of Casbah, together with a community organization, the Surat Hindu Association and their built artefacts, both provide a case study for a qualitative economy of architecture as well as a documentation of the lived experience of the community and her childhood.  

Dr Patel says that she hopes that the research brings a sense of pride to the community’s generational relational togetherness. “It was a community divided along class, caste and geographic regions of origin, yet they forged a sense of collaboration in the face of political and economic exclusion” she reiterates. Her findings could then bring a deeper understanding of the buildings and its potential of debasement in the community, had they not found solidarity.”   

Dr Patel’s plans include aspiring to write two to three research articles which would be drawn from key thematic chapters of a thesis, as well as writing two books, one about the narrative of the community and its relational context of the Casbah, as well as a book on qualitative economies in architecture more broadly.   

Her advice to students considering a PhD in a similar field is to remember that knowledge is something one builds over time, and achieving success requires maturity and a deep understanding of your respective field. “Architecture is a blend of art and science, not just one or the other. A compelling thesis integrates logical reasoning with creative expression and interpretation”, she adds. 

She credits her supervisor, Dr Emmanuel Nkambule in helping shape her work " He was able to share his knowledge yet steer my research interests, ensuring that my voice, new research, and transformation of the field was always achieved ", she reflects.