South Asian University PhD in Planning Admission 2025, Process, Total Students Placed, Learn More About Courses

• Passport size Photograph
• Application form
• Secondary School (Class 10th) Mark Sheet
• Pass Certificate of Class 10th
• Senior Secondary School (Class 12th ) Mark sheet or equivalent
• Pass Certificate of Class 12th
• Valid Certificate for proof of Date of Birth
• Graduation Marks Sheet or equivalent, If applicable
• Graduation Degree certificate, If applicable
• Postgraduate Mark Sheet or equivalent
• Postgraduate Degree certificate
• Migration Certificate (Original+2 Xerox)
• School Leaving Certificate/Transfer Certificate/College Leaving Certificate, as applicable
• Caste Certificates (ST/SC/OBC-NCL), EWS Certificates

Semester 1: Foundational Courses and Research Preparation

Research Methodology in Planning

• Introduction to qualitative and quantitative research methods.
• Data collection techniques: surveys, interviews, case studies, GIS, etc.
• Statistical tools for planning research.
• Ethical considerations in research.

Urban and Regional Planning Theories

• Overview of planning theories and approaches.
• Historical development of planning paradigms.
• Contemporary theories in urban and regional planning.
• The role of planning in shaping cities and regions.

Planning and Development Policy

• Analysis of urban and regional development policies.
• Role of government in spatial planning.
• Evaluation of policies on housing, transportation, and sustainability.

Seminar on Current Trends in Planning

• Seminar series with guest lectures, case study presentations, and discussions on current trends in planning.
• Critical engagement with ongoing urban planning challenges.

Review of Literature and Research Proposal Development

• How to conduct an effective literature review.
• Developing a PhD research proposal.
• Identifying gaps in existing literature.
• Crafting the research problem and objectives.

Semester 2: Core Planning Topics and Specialization Courses

Urban Governance and Planning Institutions

• Governance structures in urban planning.
• Role of local and regional governments.
• Public participation in planning decisions.
• Comparative governance models.

Sustainable Urban Development

• Concepts of sustainability in urban planning.
• Planning for climate change mitigation and adaptation.
• Green infrastructure and energy-efficient urban design.
• Urban resilience and sustainability metrics.

Advanced GIS and Spatial Analysis

• Advanced Geographic Information Systems (GIS) techniques for urban and regional planning.
• Spatial data analysis, modeling, and visualization.
• GIS in land use planning, transport planning, and environmental management.

Urban Design and Built Environment

• Principles of urban design.
• Designing livable and inclusive urban spaces.
• The role of public spaces and community engagement in urban design.

Quantitative Analysis in Planning

• Advanced statistics for urban and regional planning.
• Econometric modeling in planning.
• Techniques for forecasting and scenario planning.

Semester 3: Research and Advanced Topic Engagement

Advanced Topics in Transportation Planning

• Transportation systems and their integration with urban planning.
• Sustainable transport solutions and smart mobility.
• Modeling transport demand and infrastructure planning.

Land Use and Housing Policy

• Land use planning techniques and regulations.
• Housing markets, affordability, and policy interventions.
• Zoning, land tenure, and property rights in urban planning.

Environmental Planning and Management

• Managing environmental resources in urban settings.
• Planning for ecological sustainability.
• Climate adaptation strategies for cities.

Urbanization and Global Development

• Urbanization trends and their global implications.
• The role of planning in managing rapid urbanization in developing countries.
• Globalization and its effects on local planning practices.

Research Work and Proposal Refinement

• Continuing with literature review and initial data collection.
• Refining the research question and methodology.
• Preparing for the qualifying exam or candidacy exam.

Semester 4: Comprehensive Exam and Field Work

Comprehensive Qualifying Exam

• Exam covering core areas in urban planning, policy, and research methods.
• This exam usually assesses knowledge in both theoretical and practical aspects of planning.

Field Work/Case Study Research

• Collecting data and conducting research through fieldwork.
• Conducting interviews, surveys, or observational studies in a real-world context.
• Participating in urban or regional planning projects.

Planning for Smart Cities

• Exploring the concept and technologies behind smart cities.
• The role of data, IoT (Internet of Things), and automation in urban planning.
• Case studies on smart city development.

Semester 5: Research and Thesis Development

Thesis Writing I

• Structuring the PhD dissertation.
• Literature review and theoretical framework development.
• Data analysis and interpretation.
• Writing techniques for academic papers and theses.

Urban Social Issues and Planning

• Addressing social inequalities in urban spaces.
• Planning for marginalized communities.
• Gender, class, and race in urban development.

Advanced Urban and Regional Planning Techniques

• Techniques in spatial modeling, simulation, and forecasting.
• Case studies on city planning interventions and their outcomes.

Thesis Research & Discussion

• Ongoing dissertation work with regular meetings with supervisors.
• Presentation and feedback on research findings.
• Peer review and critical discussions.

Semester 6: Final Thesis Work and Defense

Thesis Writing II

• Finalizing dissertation chapters.
• Polishing the thesis for submission.
• Preparing for the viva voce or defense.

Public Policy and Planning Practice

• Linking research findings to practical planning applications.
• Engaging with policymakers, urban practitioners, and other stakeholders.
• Communicating research results effectively to a non-academic audience.

Thesis Defense and Viva Voce

• Formal defense of the PhD thesis.
• Oral examination by a panel of experts in the field.
• Final revisions based on feedback from the defense.

The South Asian University - Sau has well-established computer labs with all the advanced IT Infrastructure facilities available for the students and faculty members of the South Asian University - Sau.