This document summarizes the author's experience growing up in Chandigarh, India and how it has shaped their perspective and career goals. It discusses how the author has observed both the modernist planning of Chandigarh as well as traditional and informal urbanism in other parts of India. Through various class projects, the author has investigated how different groups perceive and use the city as well as issues like informal vending. The author's thesis explored the urbanized villages around Chandigarh that emerged from the city's planning and how they critique the original neighborhood models.