Urban Services Planning Course | IIT Kharagpur | Prof. Debapratim Pandit
Course Details
| Exam Registration | 253 |
|---|---|
| Course Status | Ongoing |
| Course Type | Core |
| Language | English |
| Duration | 12 weeks |
| Categories | Architecture and Planning, Urban Infrastructure Planning and Management |
| Credit Points | 3 |
| Level | Undergraduate/Postgraduate |
| Start Date | 19 Jan 2026 |
| End Date | 10 Apr 2026 |
| Enrollment Ends | 02 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Registration Ends | 20 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Date | 25 Apr 2026 IST |
| NCrF Level | 4.5 — 8.0 |
Mastering Urban Services Planning: A Comprehensive 12-Week Course by IIT Kharagpur
Creating sustainable, efficient, and equitable cities is one of the defining challenges of our time. At the heart of this endeavor lies effective Urban Services Planning—the systematic design and management of essential services that keep urban areas functioning and livable. For students and professionals in architecture, planning, and civil engineering, mastering this domain is no longer optional; it's imperative.
Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur offers a definitive course on this critical subject, led by a distinguished expert. This 12-week program provides a deep dive into the principles, strategies, and technologies that shape the services underpinning modern urban life.
Meet Your Instructor: A Leader in Urban Planning
The course is led by Prof. Debapratim Pandit, a professor at IIT Kharagpur's Department of Architecture and Regional Planning. With a PhD from the University of Tokyo specializing in land-use transportation modeling and over twelve years of combined teaching and professional experience, Prof. Pandit brings exceptional expertise to the classroom.
His current teaching and research portfolio includes Urban Informatics, Advanced Transportation Planning, and Urban Utilities and Services. He leads the Urban Informatics Lab at IIT Kharagpur and is actively developing innovative technologies for urban transit systems for the Government of India. His extensive publication record and consultancy work on urban mobility and infrastructure make him the ideal guide for this complex field.
Course Overview: What Will You Learn?
This comprehensive course is designed for undergraduate and postgraduate students. It moves beyond theory to equip participants with practical skills for analyzing, planning, and managing urban services.
Key Learning Objectives:
- Understand the fundamentals of planning for services like solid waste management, municipal health, social services, street lighting, and fire services.
- Grasp strategic aspects, regulatory frameworks, and the role of stakeholders in urban service delivery.
- Learn to conduct gap analyses, evaluate current service contexts, and propose appropriate technologies and policies.
- Apply critical planning tools such as Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), Life Cycle Analysis, and community participation frameworks.
- Develop management strategies and financial implementation plans for sustainable urban services.
Detailed 12-Week Course Layout
The course is meticulously structured to build knowledge from foundational concepts to specialized applications.
| Week | Core Topics Covered |
|---|---|
| Week 1-2 | Introduction to urban services, strategic planning, regulatory frameworks, stakeholder roles, and core planning approaches including EIA and community participation. |
| Week 3-9 | Integrated Solid Waste Management: Deep dive into rules, planning, collection, processing (composting, recycling), disposal (landfill design), and advanced technologies (Waste-to-Energy). |
| Week 10-11 | Municipal Health & Social Services: Planning for public health challenges, healthcare access, urban poverty alleviation, and services for vulnerable groups. |
| Week 12 | Other Essential Services: Planning for street lighting, fire services, urban forestry, parks, and burial grounds. |
Who Should Enroll?
This course is specifically tailored for:
- Students pursuing Bachelor's degrees in Architecture, Planning, or Technology (Civil).
- Students in Master's programs like City/Urban Planning, Urban Engineering, Physical Planning, or Technology.
- Professionals in architecture, urban planning, infrastructure, and consultancy firms seeking to enhance their expertise in urban service solutions.
Industry Relevance & Support
The skills taught in this course are in high demand. All architecture, urban planning, infrastructure, and consultancy firms that provide solutions for urban areas recognize the critical importance of robust urban services planning. This course aligns perfectly with industry needs, preparing students to tackle real-world challenges in municipal governance, sustainable infrastructure, and service delivery.
Essential Learning Resources
Participants will engage with key texts, including:
- Municipal Solid Waste Management Manual (Part I & II) by CPHEEO, India.
- What a Waste: Solid Waste Management in Asia by The World Bank.
These resources, combined with case studies and Prof. Pandit's expert instruction, provide a powerful foundation for anyone serious about shaping the future of cities.
Take the next step in your professional journey. Enroll in this IIT Kharagpur course to gain the knowledge and tools needed to plan and manage the urban services that form the backbone of sustainable, resilient, and thriving cities.
Enroll Now →