Comprehensive Curriculum Overview
The Urban Planning program at Nicmar University Pune is structured over 8 semesters, providing students with a well-rounded education that balances theoretical knowledge with practical application. The curriculum includes core courses, departmental electives, science electives, and mandatory labs designed to build both technical skills and analytical thinking.
Course Structure by Semester
| Semester | Course Code | Course Title | Credit (L-T-P-C) | Pre-requisites |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | UP101 | Introduction to Urban Studies | 3-1-0-4 | - |
| 1 | UP102 | Human Geography | 3-1-0-4 | - |
| 1 | UP103 | Environmental Science | 3-1-0-4 | - |
| 1 | UP104 | Introduction to GIS | 2-0-2-3 | - |
| 1 | UP105 | Basic Economics | 3-1-0-4 | - |
| 2 | UP201 | Urban Economics | 3-1-0-4 | UP105 |
| 2 | UP202 | Housing Policy and Planning | 3-1-0-4 | - |
| 2 | UP203 | Public Administration | 3-1-0-4 | - |
| 2 | UP204 | Urban Design Principles | 3-1-0-4 | - |
| 2 | UP205 | Field Survey Techniques | 2-0-2-3 | - |
| 3 | UP301 | Land Use Planning | 3-1-0-4 | UP201, UP202 |
| 3 | UP302 | Transportation Systems | 3-1-0-4 | UP205 |
| 3 | UP303 | Environmental Impact Assessment | 3-1-0-4 | UP103 |
| 3 | UP304 | Urban Sociology | 3-1-0-4 | - |
| 3 | UP305 | Research Methodology | 2-1-0-3 | - |
| 4 | UP401 | Disaster Resilience Planning | 3-1-0-4 | UP301, UP303 |
| 4 | UP402 | Smart Cities and Digital Innovation | 3-1-0-4 | UP305 |
| 4 | UP403 | Urban Informatics & Data Analytics | 3-1-0-4 | UP104, UP305 |
| 4 | UP404 | Sustainable Urban Development | 3-1-0-4 | UP303 |
| 4 | UP405 | Community Development Planning | 2-1-0-3 | - |
| 5 | UP501 | Advanced GIS Applications | 2-1-0-3 | UP104 |
| 5 | UP502 | Urban Economics | 3-1-0-4 | UP201 |
| 5 | UP503 | Urban Governance and Policy | 3-1-0-4 | UP203 |
| 5 | UP504 | Public Space Design | 3-1-0-4 | UP204 |
| 5 | UP505 | Field Project Work | 2-0-2-3 | - |
| 6 | UP601 | Urban Informatics & Data Analytics | 3-1-0-4 | UP403 |
| 6 | UP602 | Participatory Planning Processes | 3-1-0-4 | UP503 |
| 6 | UP603 | Urban Modeling and Simulation | 2-1-0-3 | UP501 |
| 6 | UP604 | Internship Preparation Workshop | 2-0-2-3 | - |
| 7 | UP701 | Capstone Project I | 4-0-0-4 | UP602 |
| 7 | UP702 | Research Proposal Writing | 2-1-0-3 | UP505 |
| 8 | UP801 | Capstone Project II | 4-0-0-4 | UP701 |
| 8 | UP802 | Final Thesis Presentation | 2-0-2-3 | - |
Detailed Departmental Elective Courses
The department offers several advanced elective courses designed to deepen students' understanding of specialized aspects of urban planning:
- Advanced GIS Applications: This course explores the use of Geographic Information Systems in urban analysis, including spatial data management, geostatistics, and modeling. Students learn to create interactive maps and conduct spatial analyses that inform decision-making processes.
- Urban Informatics & Data Analytics: Combines statistical methods with urban planning to analyze large datasets from sources like mobile phone records, satellite imagery, and social media platforms. The course emphasizes predictive modeling and data visualization techniques for urban policy development.
- Public Space Design: Focuses on the design and management of public spaces that enhance community interaction and civic identity. Students study historical and contemporary examples of parks, plazas, and community centers to understand their role in urban life.
- Urban Economics: Examines how economic forces shape urban development patterns and influence policy decisions. Topics include housing markets, labor mobility, and regional disparities in urban growth.
- Disaster Resilience Planning: Addresses the planning and design of resilient cities that can withstand natural disasters and climate change impacts. Students learn about risk assessment, emergency preparedness, and adaptive urban infrastructure.
- Sustainable Urban Development: Focuses on sustainable practices in urban planning, including green building standards, renewable energy integration, and environmental impact mitigation strategies.
- Transportation Planning: Covers the principles of transportation system design and management, focusing on public transit, traffic flow optimization, and multimodal mobility solutions.
- Community Development Planning: Explores how community engagement can inform planning processes and lead to more inclusive and equitable outcomes. Students study participatory methods and learn to facilitate collaborative planning workshops.
Project-Based Learning Philosophy
The department's philosophy on project-based learning is centered around real-world problem-solving and experiential education. Mini-projects are assigned throughout the program to give students hands-on experience with urban planning challenges. These projects often involve collaboration with local municipalities, NGOs, or private sector stakeholders.
Mini-projects typically span 4-6 weeks and require students to conduct research, collect data, analyze findings, and present recommendations to an audience of faculty members and community representatives. Evaluation criteria include the quality of analysis, clarity of presentation, and adherence to ethical standards in planning practice.
The final-year thesis or capstone project is a significant component of the program. Students choose a topic relevant to current urban challenges, conduct independent research under faculty supervision, and develop a comprehensive proposal or policy brief that could be implemented by relevant organizations.
Students select their projects in consultation with faculty mentors based on their interests and career aspirations. The selection process ensures that each student works on a topic that aligns with both academic rigor and practical relevance.