Overview
Discover what it takes to build the urban world - planning, policies, statistics, analyses, visualization, and more - with this revolutionary two-year program. Shape the future of cities as you transform into an industry-ready urban planner that contributes in creating sustainable, efficient, equitable, and healthy communities in this rapidly urbanising world.
Shape the future of urban transformation
What You'll Learn
The M.Plan program is your key to developing independent and critical thinking of city issues, and mastering major techno-managerial and software skills required by the urban planning industry.
- Gain comprehensive knowledge of the philosophy and fundamental principles of the multidimensional and multifaceted nature of planning.
- Apply planning knowledge in physical, spatial, environmental, socio-economic, legal-political, cultural, governance, development and management aspects of planning of urban areas with regards to the national vision and demands of the society.
- Demonstrate data-based situation assessment, analytical problem-solving and critical thinking to develop planning solutions.
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Programme at a Glance
Find out what the M.Plan program has in store for you.
Cutting-edge Training
Among the many unique aspects of this full-time program is the cutting-edge training you’ll receive on how to appreciate the socio-cultural, economic, and environmental aspects of urban settlements, understand their challenges, and develop planning solutions for planned urban development.
A Unique Pedagogical Approach
A pedagogical approach of combining theory inputs with practical field explorations and working on real case studies through studios, field visits and professional training ensures that students are made employment-ready.Studios for Practical Application
Studios are developed for practical application of theory in real-life cases in urban settlements. Innovative thinking, originality, and research are also fostered through the proposed curriculum through the Planning Project in two phases - Dissertation and Thesis.Distinctive Curriculum
Leveraging NICMAR University's industry connect, our expert planning faculty have curated a curriculum that focuses on inculcating skills to make you industry-ready.Expert Participation & Feedback
Throughout the duration of the program, practicing professionals will be invited to become part of the studios, and even theory courses wherever possible to bring their expert feedback through case studies.Technical Skills
As a student of this program, you will also receive training on technical skills such as needs assessment, data collection, survey, spatial mapping, quantitative methods, analysis, plan preparation, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation. Present industry needs such as Spatial Mapping and Geoinformatics, Data Analytics, Development/Project Finance, Sustainability, Project Structuring, Research methods, Technical Writing and relevant software skills such as Programming have also been incorporated as part of the curriculum.Pune Campus
Seamlessly blending with Baner’s elite, cutting-edge lifestyle, our Pune campus will leave you enchanted with its state-of-the-art learning and living facilities.
Duration: Two years full time
Courses
- Sem. 1
- Sem. 2
- Sem. 3
- Sem. 4
Semester 1
Kick off the first semester with foundational subjects related to fundamental knowledge of planning such as History and Theory of Planning, Infrastructure and Transportation Planning, Housing and Community Planning and Planning Techniques.
An introductory area appreciation studio also makes up for an integral part of this semester, wherein, you will receive first-hand experience of physically surveying an area and spatial documentation.
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History and Theory of Planning
This course trains students to critically appreciate the significance and role of economic, political, cultural, social forces and planning history in shaping the built environment in urban settlements.
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Infrastructure and Transportation Planning
This course equips students with basic knowledge about various physical infrastructure including transportation and social infrastructure along with requirements of various infrastructure for a settlement, policy framework and current urban challenges of planning, design and management.
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Housing and Community Planning
This subject introduces urban housing, nature of housing problems, and various programmes and policies initiated to deal with these problems in Indian cities.
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Planning Techniques
This course introduces spatial mapping, data collection and analysis for plan preparation.
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Planning Studio – I
This course intends to develop an ability in students to apply the concepts learnt in theory subjects to day to day planning practice in a real case study of the selected area appreciated through site visits and physical surveys.
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Urban Land Economics
This course reviews the urban land and real estate economic forces that shape urban and regional development along with the role of land economics in preparation of Urban Development plans.
Semester 2
Gear up to acquire core competencies in City and Metropolitan Planning through the courses in this semester. Along with exposure to technical and software skills in Geoinformatics and Spatial Analysis and Quantitative Methods, this semester also introduces Electives and a studio at the sub-city ( ward or local area) planning level.
Conclude this semester with a summer internship in a professional organization.
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City and Metropolitan Planning
This course develops understanding of the students about growth of cities, system of cities, scale, complexity and its impact on national development, cities as engines of growth, cities as ecosystems, resources in cities focusing on Inner city, city – region linkages, fringe and the periphery and peri-urban development.
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Geoinformatics and Spatial Analysis
This course involves learning and application of basic techniques of the quintessential GIS applications and remote sensing.
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Planning Studio – II
This studio is focused on the preparation of sub-city ward or local area plan including data collection, analysis and plan proposals to be framed in a collaborative and participatory manner.
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Quantitative Research Methods
This course introduces students to quantitative analysis and research methods for urban planning by exposure to basic descriptive statistics (including measures of central tendency and dispersion), principles of statistical inference, and a wide variety of analytic methods and their practical application in planning.
- Real Estate Development
- Urban Renewal and Heritage Conservation
- Inclusive Planning
- Urban Design and Landscape Design
- Rural Planning and Development
- Planning for Special Areas
- Future Cities
- Risk, Disaster Mitigation and Management
- Energy, Climate Change and Urban Development
- Water Security and Planning
- Sustainable Building Planning
- Valuation of Properties
- Building Information Modelling
- Financial Modelling and Econometrics
- Project Management Systems and Techniques
- Management of Public Private Partnerships
- Advanced Transportation Planning
- Public Transit Systems
- Audit course or MOOC course
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Professional Training
Students are expected to undergo professional training during summer in a planning organisation. This not only enhances student employability but also prepares them to work on live planning and development projects in a collaborative setting.
Students will choose Professional Elective - I from the following courses:
Students will choose Open Elective - I from the following courses:
Semester 3
This semester introduces you to further advanced planning courses oriented at theory as well as practice. The Planning Project Phase-I is also undertaken this semester.
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Urban Governance and Public Policy
Governance and public policy play a crucial role in framing planning policies and for their effective implementation. This course aims to introduce how cities and regions in India are governed with a particular focus on land and built environment.
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Sustainable Urban Development
This course equips students with a holistic overview of concepts and issues relevant to environmental sustainability, climate change, resilience, various environmental planning tools and techniques along with green technologies.
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Planning Studio – III
This is a culmination studio involving preparation of a master plan or comprehensive development plan of medium towns / large cities / new towns, or special area plans.
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Planning Project – Phase I / Dissertation
The purpose of phase-I is to introduce research methods and develop competencies for critically examining topics of their interest as a foundation stage for the terminal project or thesis.
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Writing and Communication Skills
This course aims at inculcating academic and technical report writing skills in students along with oral-written-visual communication skills.
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Professional Elective – II
A second professional elective may be chosen from the offered list of elective courses.
Semester 4
Primarily oriented at imparting skills necessary for professional practice, the final semester offers a collection of advanced planning courses that will help you kickstart a flourishing career in urban planning after you graduate.
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Planning Legislation and Professional Practice
The primary objective of this course is to expose the students to urban and regional planning statutes and how the planning statutes foundationally impact planning professional practice.
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Project Formulation and Appraisal
The concept of projects with focus on physical urban projects, importance of project management, planning and structuring, implementation, monitoring and evaluation.
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Development Finance
Funding of these projects is critical for the implementation of plans and policies. This course will introduce concepts of development finance including urban municipal finance, infrastructure finance and various innovative tools for the same.
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Planning Project – Phase II / Thesis
Each student is required to undertake in depth and original study and research in the field of his/her interest in the urban planning and development domains. The terminal project also provides an opportunity to synthesise the knowledge and skills, acquired through the learning of various theories and practices during the previous semesters.
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Open Elective - II
A second open elective may be chosen from the offered list of elective courses.
- Audit Course or MOOC Course
Pedagogy
1. The program is based on the concept of ‘Learning through hands-on experience’ supplemented with case studies, tutorials, software workshops, energy labs, videos, peer to peer learning and so on aimed with an immersive application-oriented learning based on practical challenges and industry relevant issues.
2. Supervised by a Faculty mentor, every working group will critically evaluate, explore and analyze ideas to incorporate the learnings into project work and orient them towards getting industry ready.
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Class Profile
Join a diverse community of learners who are passionate about solving complex problems of urban areas. The class is a mix of graduates from diverse streams such as architecture, civil engineering, planning, sociology, economics, geography, environmental engineering, and geoinformatics, among many others.
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25
Average age
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6
Average Courses Each Semester
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20
Average Credits Per Semester
Our leader
Shruti Vaishampayan
Head, M.Plan
Shruti is an architect-urban planner with 15 years of diverse experience of working with industry, academic institutions, and non-governmental organisations in both USA and India. She holds a master’s degree in Urban Environmental Planning from Arizona State University, USA and is currently pursuing her Ph.D. at the School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi.
Passionate about cities and planning education, she brings extensive knowledge of urban planning, outstanding research and analytical skills, exceptional communication and academic writing abilities in her current role as an academic. Her teaching and research interests include Urban Housing, Regeneration and Redevelopment, Gentrification, and Valuation of Properties. She also takes keen interest in the areas of Green Buildings, Environmental Impact Assessment, Environmental Management, and Planning for Smart Sustainable Cities. She is a member of the Institute of Town Planners India (ITPI) and Council of Architecture (COA).
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Admission Requirements
- Candidates with a regular bachelor degree (or equivalent) in the Architecture / Civil Engineering / Environmental Engineering / Construction Technology / Planning / Urban Design / Masters Degree in Geomatics / Geo-informatics / Geographical Information System / Masters Degree (or equivalent) in Geography, Economics or Sociology from a recognised Institution / University are eligible. Candidates seeking admission are required to have secured minimum 50% aggregate marks (45% for the candidates from reserved category) at graduation level. Final year eligible graduating students can also apply. However, such candidates must have completed (passed) their Graduation before the commencement of program.
- Admission criteria for Master of Planning (Urban Planning) include performance in NICMAR PG-NCAT, GD and PI as per the standard admission procedure. GATE qualification will be preferred but not compulsory.
Your trajectory
Career opportunities
As an Master of Planning (Urban Planning) graduate from the School of Architecture, Planning, and Real Estate at NICMAR, Pune, you can pursue the following careers:
| Sector | Job Category |
|---|---|
| Public Sector | - State and central government agencies - Metropolitan planning organisations - Transit agencies - Other regional agencies |
| Private Sector | - Planning and architectural consultancies - Management consultancies - Real Estate firms - Startups |
| Research and Education | - Multilateral and bilateral Institutes - Development banks - Non-profit advocacy groups - Think tanks - Centrally funded technical institutes - Public/private universities and research institutes |
FAQs
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What is urban planning and what do urban planners do?
Urban planning involves futuristic planning for the regulation and management of towns, cities, metropolitan regions and special regions for maintaining healthy and vibrant quality of life for its citizens.
Urban planners make decisions about how the built environment including physical/social and transportation infrastructure will be shaped considering long term socio-economic-environmental sustainability of the development for an urban area or region. They must work closely with a wide range of stakeholders, including citizens, policy makers, government officials, architects, engineers and developers. -
I am an architect or a civil engineer. Is the Master of Planning program the right career choice for me?
Architects are skilled in architectural design development, technical drawings and graphic communication of plot-based projects whereas civil engineers are trained in designing civil engineering structures and systems. Further expanding the skill sets into urban planning, architects and civil engineers can broaden their knowledge and understand larger scales such as neighbourhood, township and city level. Urban planning graduates play a key role in managing and developing the places we live in to make them safer, more sustainable and healthier.
The Master of Planning program develops thorough understanding of theory and urban infrastructure systems, and inculcates technical skills in surveying, mapping, GIS, research design, feasibility and impact studies, quantitative methods, technical writing, and related software skills along with managerial skills such as team work, communication, consensus building and leadership skills. These added skill-sets open a new horizon of opportunities for architects and civil engineers in public as well as private sectors. -
How are the placement prospects of the Master of Planning (Urban Planning) program?
Urban planning has been recognised as a top priority by our nation in recent years. The central government has many ambitious schemes such as Smart Cities, AMRUT, GIS based master plans, Urban Infrastructure Development Scheme for Small and Medium Towns, Satellite Towns around select Megacities, National Urban Information System, Urban Mapping Scheme and so on.
Apart from the government agencies and parastatals, planning and design consulting firms, real estate developers, management consultants, international consulting advisories, national and international non-profits, and bilateral financial institutions all actively recruit skilled urban planners. With a track record of having good placements, NICMAR Pune campus is visited by over 200 companies for on-campus placements. Students are provided with placement assistance both for internships and placements. -
Is this program approved by the Institute of Town Planners India"?
Yes, this program has been duly approved as per the standard procedure of the Institute of Town Planners India (ITPI), New Delhi.
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NICMAR University Pune Act (L. C. Bill No. Of 2022) was passed by Maharashtra State Government on 16th March, 2022 and appeared in “Maharashtra Government Gazette” on 12th May 2022 (Mah. Act No. XXXVI of 2022).
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