Department of Urban Planning
Urban Planning
About Department
ProgramsAbout the Department
Department of Urban Planning is the first post-graduate department of the School. It started as a Department of Urban and Regional Planning in the Year 1955. The vision of the Department is to ensure and maintain quality of education in settlement planning so as to be at par with institutions worldwide through sustained research in the field of urban planning, development and management, along with strengthening academic links of the Department with institutions in India and abroad, and by setting up of a Knowledge Centre in the area of urban planning.
Degree in Planning (Urban Planning) programme offered by the Department is designed to prepare students in the skills of analysis of physical, social, cultural, economic and ecological dimensions of urban settlements, comprehending their problems, evolving strategies to address the issues and emerging challenges in a planned manner and working out implementation mechanisms. Specialization is built around courses such as city and metropolitan planning, infrastructure planning, environment, development and disaster management, heritage conservation, urban development management, project planning, inclusive planning, energy, climate change and urban development.
The Masters programme focuses on exposure to project planning and information technology including the GIS. It also includes studio exercises in plan preparation through real world case studies related to comprehensive and micro level urban development issues, and problems related to various cities and towns in the country. Emerging number of new reforms in Urban Planning further push the need for producing qualified Urban Planner where urban planning department is committed to contribute to growing demand of urban planning industry.
Most of the alumni are engaged in various government offices like the Central and State level town and country planning organisations, Development Authorities and Urban Local Bodies (ULB’s) besides international agencies like the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank (ADB), and the Department for International Development (DFID). A growing number are employed in the private sector as developers and urban design consultants besides engaged in various research and academic institutes, NGOs and consultancy firms both within and outside the country.
News
- New Academic Session Starting from 29th July, 2024
Upcoming Events
- Orientation Program for the New Batch on 30th July, 2024
Programs
Master of Planning (Urban Planning)
Two Year Programme
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph. D.)
Full-Time Programme 2-5 Years
Part-Time Programme 3-7 Years
Faculty
Prof. Dr. Ashok Kumar
Ph.D.(Liverpool), MURP, PGDHRM, M.Sc.(Geog.) FITP
Professor
Head of the Department
Prof. Dr. Prafulla Parlewar
B.Arch., M.Plan. with specialization in Urban Planning and Ph.D. (Japan)
Professor
M. Palaniappan
M.A. , (Economics ), M.T.P., (Town and Country Planning) M.P.S., (Population Studies),A.I.T.P.
Associate Professor
Dr. Chandrani Bandyopadhyay Neogi
M.A. (Geo.), M.Plan.(RP), Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Dr. Nilanjana Dasgupta Sur
Ph.D., M.Sc. (Geog.), M.Plan. (UP), AITP, IIG
Assistant Professor
Palthya Srinivas Naik
Bachelor of Planning, Masters of Urban and Regional Planning (MURP)
Assistant Professor
Dr. Sakkeri Ramya
Ph.D. (IIT Roorkee), MCP (IIT Kharagpur), B.Tech-Planning (SPA - JNAFAU, Hyderabad)
Assistant Professor
Staff
Shri Shanti Swaroop
B.Sc (Computer Sc.)
Advanced Network Management
Advanced Network Management
s.swaroop@spa.ac.in
Junior System Analyst
Junior System Analyst
Course Curriculum
- Master of Planning (Urban Planning) Click Here
Alumni
1. On Department’s Alumni
Ms. Apurva Bandyopadhyay, a transport planner at QRyde, exemplifies the strategic role of transportation in urban systems, while Ms. Radhika Mehrotra's work with ARISE IIP in Africa highlights the global influence of SPA graduates in the areas of resilience and infrastructure. Ms. Saptami's contributions at Deloitte and Renchen's role at EY India demonstrate the critical link between urban planning, consulting, and governance. Meanwhile, Mr. Gurucharan Chabra's work at JLL India underscores the importance of real estate expertise in shaping sustainable urban environments.
Mr. Shubhogata Mukhopadhyay, currently a MEXT Scholar at Hiroshima University, Japan, brings academic excellence to the forefront, showcasing the institute's focus on international collaboration and research. Ms. Pallavi Dhandaniya's work with Miyamoto International Inc. and Ms. Komal Jaiswal's academic role at Manipal University further reflect the diversity of professional paths SPA alumni take. Mr. Pushpendra, as an Assistant Town Planner in Himachal Pradesh, and Mr. Muddu Krishna A.S., a consultant at Karmayogi Bharat, DoPT, represent the impact of SPA alumni in the public sector. Mr. Karthikeyan Baskar, working at PwC, is contributing significantly to transport planning and road safety, two pillars of urban mobility.
2. How are they a source of inspiration for the Physical Planning programme?
Urban Planning programme takes immense pride in its distinguished alumni who have consistently demonstrated excellence and leadership in diverse fields of urban planning and related disciplines. Our alumni serve as a source of inspiration, shaping the future of cities across the globe, from India to Africa, and even Japan. Their achievements reflect the institute's commitment to fostering well-rounded professionals capable of addressing the most pressing urban challenges.
3. Organization of Events
In the past year, the Department of Urban Planning has been actively engaging students in thought-provoking and hands-on workshops, such as those on urban flooding in collaboration with SPHERF India, gender planning in Indian cities, and green building practices. The capacity-building workshop on Infant, Toddler, and Caregiver-Friendly Neighbourhoods emphasized the importance of inclusive urban spaces, while the Thesis Exhibition showcased innovative research by our students, setting new benchmarks for urban planning. These achievements, both from alumni and current students, underscore the institute's mission to produce thought leaders and changemakers in the field of urban planning. Their work continues to inspire the next generation of urban planners, reaffirming the institute's legacy of excellence.