URP, SPA Bhopal - KakoliSaha

Dr. Kakoli Saha

Assistant Professor

B. Sc. (Geography, Presidency University, Kolkata)

M. Sc. (Geography, University of Calcutta, Kolkata)

PhD (Applied Remote Sensing, Kent State University, Ohio, USA)

BIO

Dr. Kakoli Saha brings 16 years of experience in teaching and research, specializing in the Application of GIS and Remote Sensing in Spatial Planning, Built Environment and Public Health.

Her institutional research portfolio includes significant projects such as the Health and Nutrition Services among Tribal population under Ministry of Tribal Affairs, GoI, Developing Food Insecurity Index in the Tribal District of Madhya Pradesh under International Society of Phtogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ISPRS), Assess Inclusive Mobility in Heritage City of Ujjain under Atal Mission for Rejuvenations and Urban Transformation (AMRUT 2.0), Optimization of Photovoltaic Solar Panel Installation under Dept. of Science and Technology, GoI, and Universal Design Innovation for Heritage Sites under DIC, MHRD.

In the MURP program, Dr. Saha leads courses such as GIS Lab and Computer Applications, offering students practical exposure to geospatial technologies and digital tools essential for effective urban and regional planning. Her teaching emphasizes the integration of advanced technological methods into planning processes to enhance analytical and decision-making capabilities.

Research Interests

Application of GIS and Remote Sensing Techniques in Spatial Planning
Quantitative Methods in Planning
Smart Cities, Urban Accessibility, and Renewable Energy Planning
Application of geospatial techniques in urban design

Publications

Books

Learning GIS Using Open Source Software: An Applied Guide for Geo-spatial Analysis, Routledge India, 2021.

Selected Journal Articles

Yadav, A., Saha, K., and Madden, M.- Predictive Modeling of Urban Heat Islands in Indian Cities: A Case Study of Jaipur city, Rajasthan, India, ISPRS Ann. Photogramm. Remote Sens. Spatial Inf. Sci., 2026.
Bhamoriya, A, Saha, K., Madan, N.– Assessing Socio-Spatial Impacts of Dam Operations on Downstream Areas: A Case of Omkareshwar Dam. Urban India Vol 43, 2025
Saha, K., Kumar, P. & Kherudkar, R. – Assessing Universal Accessibility of built environment through sentiment analysis at post-industrial disaster site – A case of UCIL, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. ISPRS Ann. Photogramm. Remote Sens. Spatial Inf. Sci. X-5/W2-2025, 2025.
Saha, K. and Khare, R. – Geospatial Technique to make Indian Cities Accessible for Persons with Disabilities, The International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences,Volume XLVIII-G-2025, 2025.
Raisinghani, A., & Saha, K. – Developing an Early Detection Model for improving Vector-Borne Disease Surveillance, Photogramm. Remote Sens. Spatial Inf. Sci. X-G-2025, 2025.
Saha, K., Ghatak, D., S. Muralee, N.S. Impact of Plantation Induced Forest Degradation on the Outbreak of Emerging Infectious Diseases—Wayanad District, Kerala, India. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health, Vol-19, 2022.

Book Chapters

GIS to Machine Learning: Emerging Tools in Accessibility Analysis, Springer, 2025.
Sustainable Urbanism in Indian Religious Cities, Springer, 2025.
Mechanisms for Brownfield Redevelopment – Indore Case, CRC Press, 2022.

Project Details

Research Accomplishments

Ministry of Tribal Affairs Project (PI) – A Framework for Assessing Health and Nutrition Services in the Tribal District of Madhya Pradesh – A Case of Alirajpur District.
AMRUT 2.0 Project (PI) - Geospatial Approach to Assess Inclusive Mobility in Heritage City of Ujjain.
ISPRS project (PI) - Developing Food Insecurity Index and Vulnerability Information System (FIVIMS) for a tribal district - a case of Alirajpur District, Madhya Pradesh, India.
MOE Design Innovation Centre (Core Team Member) – Universal Design Innovation for Heritage Sites.
DST Fast Track Project (PI) – Optimization of Photovoltaic Solar Panel Installation using Remote Sensing Techniques.

Project Accomplishments

Cluster Coordinator, ICAP for Ratibad Cluster, MP – Funded by Ministry of Rural Development, GoI.
Team Member, Development Plan for Saugor Cantonment, MP.

Research Grants

MoTA project (PI)- Rs. 20.0 lakh for Health and Nutrition Services in the Tribal District research
ISPRS Scientific Initiative 2025 (PI) – 7500 swiss frank for Food Security research.
AMRUT 2.0 Research Project (PI)- Rs. 18.0 lakhs for Inclusive Mobility research
DST Young Scientist Scheme (PI) – Rs. 22.0 Lakh approx. for solar PV optimization research.

Member of Editorial Board

‘Humanities and Social Sciences Communications’ (ISSN 2662-9992), published by Springer Nature. Learn More

Ph.D. Students Mentored

Dr. Prajakta Dilip Rahate -Evaluating Effectiveness of Green Infrastructure in Mitigating Urban Heat Island -A Case Of Indore, Madhya Pradesh. (Co-advised)
Dr. Sonal Tiwari - Exploring Interrelationship of Traditional Livelihoods and Riparian Landscape of Narmada Basin. (Co-advised).

Ph.D. Students Supervising

Ms Madhumita Chaudhury (2024dr006), Topic- Women Centric Approach for place based sustainable development of tribal communities.
Mr. Anirban Chakravarty (2025dr016, Domain- climate and planning (funded by research project).