Research Details

1. Spatial and Environmental Planning
   Assessment of environmental implications of spatial planning with special reference to development of new towns, growth management of existing towns, siting of industries, special economic zones, entertainment complexes etc.
2. Community-Based Natural Resource Management
   Development of community-based planning and management models for natural resources especially forests, protected areas, watershed areas reconciling the objectives of biodiversity conservation and maintenance of livelihood of dependent communities.
3. Ecological Engineering
   Engineering of natural systems for human purposes to produce food, clean waste water, protect settlements from flooding, minimize the use of non-renewable resources, enhances recycling and reaches a long term functionality of the engineered system with a minimum of external maintenance. Integration of economy and ecology in order to design economically successful and sustainable systems.
4. Infrastructure and Utilities Planning
   Development of planning and management models for sustainable delivery of infrastructure and utilities especially traffic and transportation, drainage and sanitation, water supply and solid wastes to address the requirements of rapid urbanization and its consequences.
5. Carrying Capacity Assessment for Urban Settlements
   Assessment of carrying capacity of existing urban settlements especially metropolitan cities and municipal towns in terms of population and landuse. Correlation studies between carrying capacity, level of service of urban facilities/infrastructure, population density and quality of urban life.
6. Human Settlement Planning for Ecologically Fragile Areas
   Planning for growth management, formulation of norms and standards and design of policies/strategies for development of human settlements and infrastructure in vulnerable areas like hill regions, coastal zones, wetlands etc.
7. Environmental Risk Mitigation for Low-Income Settlements
   Research on the connection between tenure insecurity, livelihood options, level of urban amenities and environmental risks confronting the low income communities in slums and squatter settlements in metropolitan and municipal towns. Design of appropriate policies and strategies to improve tenure security; augmentation of urban amenities, livelihood strategies and quality of life of the communities living in these settlements.
8. Vernacular Architecture and Sustainability
   Analysis of place-work-folk connection of vernacular or regional architecture in determining sustainability and exploring the possibility of their application in architecture and development of human settlements.
9. Planning for Heritage Conservation
   Research on planning and management tools to coordinate growth and development of historic towns and their core areas with potential for cultural and built heritage to reconcile conservation and restoration of heritage with provision of modern infrastructure and amenities for the citizens.
10. Climate Change and Human Settlements
    Development of local climate change plans to address the global challenges yet focus on concrete local action. Research focuses on development of specific tools and practices to manage urban design and environmental infrastructure, in particular energy, transport, housing and water.
11. Rehabilitative Planning for Climate Refugees
    Assessment of damages caused to vulnerable communities in terms of livelihood, shelter, and basic amenities due to various natural disasters like cyclone, landslide, earthquake etc. and formulation of policies/strategies and planning criteria for their appropriate rehabilitation and sustenance.
12. Natural Resource Extraction and Livelihood Sustainability of Local Communities
    Temporarily finite natural resource extraction activity like mining operations results in environmental degradation and socio-economic disruption after its closure. To ensure sustainability of local economy even after mine closure, a sustainable mine closure plan is necessary. Research is undertaken to design policies and strategies through case study based approach for socio-economic rehabilitation of dependent communities and restoration of environmental parameters.
13. Green Building Techniques
    Development of green design techniques and tools that could improve the energy performance of buildings through reduction in use of energy, optimal use of water and other natural resources, development of environment friendly products and building designs and practices while meeting other essential performance standards. Analysis and comparative studies are also conducted on costs and benefits of green design techniques, products and energy systems and building design alternatives that can help to maintain the cost of housing within the affordability of the users of different socio-economic strata. Studies are also conducted on the energy performance of the buildings which uses traditional/ local materials and construction techniques.
14. Institutional Reform and Capacity Building for Urban, Rural and Natural Resource Governance
    Design of strategies for institutional reform and capacity building of various stakeholders associated with the implementation of alternative planning and management models, norms and standard for development and natural resource conserving tools and techniques connected with the above mentioned thrust

Research Innovations

1. Development of planning strategies and guidelines for integration of natural resource conservation and livelihood development of resource dependent communities for South and Southeast Asian countries
2. Development of urban planning, infrastructure and building construction guidelines for landslide affected areas in Darjeeling Hillsthrough application of GIS techniques and peoples participatory approaches.
3. Development of models for assessment of human and functional carrying capacities of existing municipal and metropolitan areas
4. Planning capacity building for urban local bodies and metropolitan development authorities
5. Criteria forrehabilitative planning for cyclone affected people in ecologically fragile Sunderban Region
6. Model solution for housing rehabilitation for cyclone affected people in the Sunderbansthrough application of cost effective alternative technologies
7. Development of strategies for environmental restoration and alternative livelihood development of affected communitiesafter mine closure

Major Research and Consultancy Projects :

• Development of Decision Support System for Urban Planning in Ecologically Fragile Areas in Darjeeling Hills (Ongoing)
• Planning Criteria for Rehabilitation of Climate Refugees in Sunderbans
• Implementing Sustainable Island Behaviour Through Sediment Husbandry in West Bengal Sunderbans ( Ongoing)
• Eco-development and Biodiversity Conservation: Case Study Sunderban Biosphere Reserve
• Model Housing and Community Development Plan for Cyclone Affected People in the Sunderbans
• Planning and Management of Protected Areas: Study of National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries in Thailand
• Joint Forest Management and Forest Protection Committees: Negotiation Systems and the Design of Incentives- A Case Study of West Bengal
• Development of Mine Closure Strategy for Sustainable Surface Coal Mining In West Bengal ( Ongoing)
• Assessment of Carrying Capacity of Bally Municipal Area ( Ongoing)
• Training Program on Urban Development for Augmentation of Carrying Capacity in Bally Municipal Area
• Design and Construction of Green Building for Guest House of Students Health Home at Digha ( Ongoing)
• Kolkata ( Calcutta) City Development Plan 2008-2025
• Environmental Management Plan for Bally Municipal Area
• Study of Tenure Issues and Environmental Risks for Urban Poor in the Slums of Kolkata
• Howrah Development and Rejuvenation Strategy Plan ( Ongoing)
• Status of Sewage Management in Urban Local Bodies of West Bengal ( Ongoing)
• Conservation and Development Plan of Gaur- Pandua Heritage Precinct
• Planning Strategy for Conservation and Development of Murshidabad