Achievements
Ministry of Panchayati Raj once again shortlists AITSAP to work on Gram Panchayat Development Project
Apeejay Institute of Technology – School of Architecture & Planning is the only private institute of architecture consulting MoPR on this project since 2020
Adding another feather of achievement, the Research Cell at Apeejay Institute of Technology – School of Architecture & Planning (AIT-SAP), Greater Noida has been again shortlisted in 2023, among the top 7 institutes in India, to consult on village development by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR).
One of the best architecture colleges known for its academic supremacy, experienced faculty, and top-notch facilities, AIT-SAP is the only private institute of architecture, consulting MoPR since 2020 on the Gram Panchayat Spatial Development Plan.
With the assistance of AIT-SAP and 16 partner planning and architecture schools, including SPA, CEPT, NITs, IITs, and other institutes of national reputation, the Ministry of Panchayati Raj has created 34 Gram Panchayat Spatial Development Plans (GPSDP) for 14 states in India.
The prepared GPSDPs have proven to be a valuable tool for better understanding the current conditions in the chosen 34 panchayats, identifying the problems with the delivery of infrastructure services (both physical and social), and projecting various needs for the next 10–20 years. Further, it is going to determine which projects should be undertaken in stages for better development.
The New Education Policy NEP 2020 lays emphasis on a powerful research ecosystem and it is this research value that AIT-SAP is set out to inculcate in its education. Ground realities are very different from traditional knowledge and rote learning. The Research Cell at AIT-SAP is engaged in several projects and publications that shall see the light soon.
This Research Cell is headed by Prof Anand Khatri and supported by the Director of the institute Prof Vivek Sabherwal, who undertook the project with select students and faculty members during the COVID in 2020. A detailed proposal outline submitted to the MoPR was then approved and has now in 2023 been shortlisted as one of the top seven institutions to work on this challenging grass root project for upholding the roots of Indian democracy. Panchayats constitute the third-tier of government in the rural areas and have been specifically mandated by Article 243G of the Constitution for planning for economic development and social justice within their respective areas.
GPSDP for the village Kalonda is the first effort of any ministry on dedicated spatial planning of villages. The Swamitva scheme, the revised Rural Area Development Plan Formulation and Implementation (RADPFI) guidelines, and the localisation of Sustainable Development Goals by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj are part of the village vision document. Gram Panchayat Kalonda, a village in block Dadri of the district Gautam Buddha Nagar, in 2023 is being developed again for a 25-year plan. The spatial plan like the city’s masterplan will serve as a model for the villages in Uttar Pradesh. The approach is a ground-up approach where the village has to be understood through the people, through ecology, and through the economic needs. If the villages are stable, they will make urbanisation stable.
Dronography, GIS, satellite imagery, local surveys, stakeholder interviews, and household surveys, all are necessary to come up with a GIS-based three-dimensional model that can be used to check the five-year-wise development of the gram panchayat. “It is not just a formula, but a planner’s instinct that comes from knowledge gathered from working in villages, urban villages, and informal settlements for decades,” says Prof Anand. He calls this form of urbanisation “Agrorbanization” – something that connects with his research focus.
“The gap between villagers and city dwellers is continuously increasing. Our villages are getting ready for a smooth transformation and the clear picture of our country lies in the villages rather than the metros. Thus, it’s our collective responsibility for hand-holding them towards unity and a more sustainable future. It is a matter of great pride that our Institute has been selected by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj as one of the few institutions across the country to prepare a comprehensive enhancement plan for Kalonda in Gautam Buddh Nagar for the Ministry of Panchayati Raj. We hope through our organised efforts by our faculty team, led by Prof Anand Khatri, will open the doors for new thinking and better practice in the country.”
–Professor Vivek Sabherwal, Director and Mentor, Research Cell, AIT-SAP
