Centre for Urban Studies

India is urbanizing at a fast pace and at a massive scale. To tackle the increasing complexities of urbanization and to move towards a more inclusive and sustainable society, it is important we comprehensively understand the urban dynamics, inbuilt interdependencies, and related challenges and issues before we explore, debate, and suggest possible solutions. Understanding issues of such complexities essentially needs a multidisciplinary approach. Centre for Urban Studies was thus established under the Manipal Academy of Higher Education in December 2016 as the University has a strong base in economics, urban development, urban sociology, engineering, public health, qualitative and quantitative research, management, and other relevant fields to take up the research works.

What does the centre do?

The centre strives to conduct research works on urban issues, such as growth, management, governance, health, safety, environment, urban resources, urban services, community development, etc. It focuses on inclusive development and on issues related to economically weaker sections, particularly with respect to affordable housing and the provision of basic infrastructure and services. The centre endeavours to start new interdisciplinary graduate courses – certificates and degrees. It also strives to continually engage government bodies and other stakeholders and to publish research works. The major activities envisaged under the centre are:

a)     Conduct and publication of research works –

• “Influences of Spatial Contexts of Public Spaces on Perceptions of Safety among Women and their Mental Health” (Small Grants Program 2017).
•  “Influences of Built Environment on the Health of Migrant Workers”.
• “Role of Built Environment in Alleviating Stress among Working Women”

b)     Collaboration with other institutes and universities for the conduct of research works:

• Internships offered for One PG student from Utrecht University, The Netherlands

c)      Conduct conferences, workshops, and seminars:

• One-Day Workshop on Visual Research Methods at Prasanna School of Public Health, MAHE
• Organised a lecture on “Research Publication Process & Ethics” for PG students.
• Conducted an online session on the process of applying for ethical clearance for research for faculty members.
• Organised a guest talk on “India’s Urbanization, Land Use Regulations and Impacts”.
• Dr. Kala Seetharam Sreedhar, Professor at the Institute for Social and Economic Change, Bangalore
• Faculty Development Program in collaboration with COA TRC Bhopal on “Quantitative methods for Qualitative Research in Built Environment”.

d)     Short-term certificate courses-

•  “Sustainable cities and communities” (Sustainable Development Goal #11 by UNDP)
• Open Elective offered in MSAP “Introduction to Cities”

e)     Summer and winter schools-

• Summer School on “Understanding Temple Town of Kollur: Towards a Sustainable Approach”

f)       Outreach programs including capacity building, stakeholder participation and empowerment:

• Organised a community workshop on “demonstration of preparation of compost with kitchen and organic waste and vermicomposting” along with Integrated Tribal Development Project (ITDP), Udupi and Alevoor Grama Panchayat.