Publications

The Department of Urban and Regional Planning at SPA Bhopal actively contributes to academic and professional discourse through a wide range of publications. Faculty and researchers regularly publish in reputed national and international journals, conference proceedings, and edited volumes, covering themes such as urban governance, climate-resilient planning, sustainable development, and public policy. These publications reflect the department’s commitment to advancing knowledge and influencing practice in urban and regional planning.

Developing Metro Rail-Based Accessibility in India: Existing Challenges and Prospects

Led by Paulose N. Kuriakose, this study explores the pivotal role of transportation in shaping the socio-economic dynamics of Indian cities. With rapid urbanization intensifying the demand for efficient transit, metro rail emerges as a sustainable solution. However, the mismatch between high infrastructure costs and low ridership raises concerns about its effectiveness. The paper critiques the replication of metro projects without proper feasibility studies and advocates for integrated planning, financing, and governance. It further highlights the need to bridge policy-practice gaps, address stakeholder coordination, and boost ridership to enhance urban quality of life.

Policy-Implementation Dynamics of National Housing Programmes in India – Evidence from Madhya Pradesh

Authored by Dr. Sheuli Mitra and published in the International Journal of Housing Policy (2022), this study examines the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) implementation in Madhya Pradesh. It used interviews with officials from the Directorate of Urban Administration and Development (20-30 estimated) and household surveys in small towns (300-500 households), alongside PMAY data (2015-2020). Focused on four PMAY components—In-Situ Slum Redevelopment, Affordable Housing in Partnership, Beneficiary-Led Construction, and Credit-Linked Subsidy Scheme—it analysed land, financing, and coordination issues in cities like Bhopal and smaller towns, noting Madhya Pradesh’s high sanction rate (over 1 million houses).

Smart Environment Through Smart Tools and Technologies for Urban Green Spaces: Case Study – Chandigarh, India

Published in Smart Environment for Smart Cities (Springer, January 2020) by Dr. Kshma Puntambekar, Kapil Gupta, and co-authors from SPA Bhopal, this study examines the application of GIS, remote sensing, and ICT for managing urban green spaces (UGS) in Chandigarh. Focusing on the city’s greenbelt and parks (~25% of 114 km²), it proposes a smart management framework using satellite imagery and field surveys. The study showcases how smart technologies can support ecological planning in modernist cities like Chandigarh, offering a replicable model for other urbanizing regions.

Geospatial Approach to Enhance Religious Tourism in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh

Led by Dr. Kakoli Saha, this research applied GIS and remote sensing to map Ujjain’s religious sites, particularly during the Kumbh Mela. The team digitized pilgrimage routes analysed crowd flow (using data from ~1 million attendees), and assessed infrastructure gaps (e.g., sanitation, transport). Outputs included spatial plans for heritage conservation and traffic management.

Estimating Solar PV Potential for Sustainable Energy Planning in Bhopal

With rising electricity demand in Indian cities, rooftop solar PV is emerging as a viable solution. This paper, authored by Kakoli Saha and Nikhil Mandal, combines automated object-oriented image analysis and GIS to assess rooftop solar potential in Bhopal. Using WorldView-2 stereo and multispectral imagery, a residential neighbourhood was analysed, revealing the potential to meet 265% of its daily energy demand via rooftop solar. Expanding this, ~10,000 buildings were mapped across Bhopal using satellite imagery and ground-truthing. The study estimated an average solar insolation of ~5.5 kWh/m²/day and a total citywide potential of 500 MW, accounting for building typology and shading. Despite JNNSM efforts, rooftop PV adoption remains limited, highlighting the need for targeted policy support in tier-II cities like Bhopal.

City profile: Kochi, city region - Planning measures to make Kochi smart and creative

Led by Paulose N. Kuriakose, this paper presents Kochi as a dynamic urban centre, Kerala’s emerging cosmopolitan and commercial capital with a rich historical and cultural legacy. Known for its distinctive lifestyle and diversity, Kochi is among the 100 Indian cities selected for smart city development. With its population projected to reach 2.27 million by 2031, the city faces critical challenges in infrastructure planning and ecosystem management. Beyond the smart city framework, the paper envisions Kochi as a creative city, leveraging its multicultural heritage, architecture, and cuisine to promote knowledge-based economic activities. It calls for strategies to foster education and employment opportunities that can nurture a thriving creative class.