School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi (SPA New Delhi) is a higher education federal institute located in New Delhi, India specializing in education and research, and serving as the national center of excellence, in the fields of planning and architecture. The institute primarily offers undergraduate, postgraduate, doctoral and executive education programs. It forms part of the league with other two Schools of Planning and Architecture, namely SPA Bhopal and SPA Vijayawada established by the Government of India with the objective of providing quality Architecture and physical planning education.Each SPA is autonomous and exercises independent control over its day-to-day operations. However, the administration of all SPAs and the overall strategy of SPAs is overseen by the SPA council. The SPA Council is headed by India's Minister of Human Resource Development and consists of the chairpersons and directors of all SPAs and senior officials from the MHRD.
Sand mining plays an important role in changing the morphological features of any river. The present study aims to investigate the long-term geomorphic consequences of instream sand mining on the Raidak-II River in the Himalayan foreland basin over 24-year timescales (2000–2024), presenting a more comprehensive assessment of channel morphological dynamics. Multi-temporal satellite datasets (Landsat and Google Earth images) and various geospatial techniques have been used using ArcGIS 10.4.1 to quantify key morphological parameters, including Channel Index (CI), Valley Index (VI), Sinuosity Index (SI), Braiding Index (BI), Total Braiding Index (TBI), Bar Mode (mbr), and bar-to-channel area ratio (BA/CA) across three river segments (A–C). Transect analysis and detailed mapping of sandbars were used to trace how the river’s width and bar areas changed over time across different segments. The results show that significant mining-induced modifications occurred: Segment-B and Segment-C widened, while Segment-A narrowed; CI, VI, and SI decreased, demonstrating channel simplification and straightening. Braiding indices fluctuated, with bar mode variability, reflecting bar fragmentation and pit formation. BA/CA ratios decreased across segments, showing significant channel deterioration. The spatio-temporal changes of mining bar areas indicate channel bar instability. These findings reveal how long-term sand mining profoundly alters river channel morphology in the Himalayan foreland basin. Using GIS and remote sensing approaches, it provides evidence to guide sustainable sand-mining policies and river management. The findings emphasize the need for careful planning, monitoring, and regulations to protect river health, offering a framework for responsible resource use and policy development in similar Himalayan River systems.
Sustainable built environments are becoming increasingly popular due to several causes, such as resource scarcity, urbanization, and climate change. Sustainable school buildings are a topic of research significance. India has adopted a fresh approach to school education. It is, therefore, imperative that modern, intelligent school buildings be constructed. The design quality indicators (DQI) add value to the architectural design at various phases of the project life cycle. This approach entails all project stakeholders developing aspirational design requirements at the briefing phase and gathering end-user input during the “in use” phase. An indicator of design quality adds value to the physical space and supports occupant well-being. The adverse effects on the environment and users are reduced with sustainable building design. The scholar has proposed a design quality assessment framework for school buildings in the Indian context. The framework is based on the DQI of the United Kingdom; however, it has been adapted to the Indian context by Delphi techniques. Further, the list was purified using confirmatory factor analysis. Each criterion of the framework has been established using Indian norms, codes, and sustainability recommendations. GRIHA-Prakriti and IGBC green schools are two popular sustainability criteria adopted by both new and existing schools in India. With the help of energy efficiency, indoor lighting and air quality, renewable energy, and creative ways to integrate building systems in school-built surroundings, the design quality framework aims to create a sustainable building environment for both internal and external spaces.
Building Information Modelling (BIM) has emerged as a transformative tool in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industries, offering significant potential to improve project efficiency and outcomes. This study explores the impact of BIM implementation on project time and cost by analyzing critical factors such as design errors, unbudgeted changes, Requests for Information (RFIs), labour dynamics, and scheduling across multiple case studies. Quantitative results reveal that BIM adoption reduces project timelines by an average of 20
This paper reviews and assesses the existing literature on the relation between architectural design pedagogy and practice in architecture, constructs a thematic framework and identifies the approaches and priorities of the discipline in terms of the way it is taught, while linking it to the way it is practiced. We delve into the systematic explication, breaking down the pedagogic processes that have become the hallmark of the quest for integrating the profession with architectural education strategies from 1980s to 2020. The paper provides a unique opportunity to understand the developmental potential of the discipline of architecture from social, educational and practice-based aspects. It might help educational practitioners to bridge the gap between the taught and the practiced.
The growing demand for high-rise buildings in India has increased the need for faster and more efficient construction methods. Formwork systems play a key role in construction speed, quality, and cost. Monolithic construction, using advanced formwork like aluminum and tunnel formwork, has become popular due to its durability and efficiency. However, there is limited research comparing these systems in India, particularly in terms of cost, reusability, and selection criteria. This study fills that gap by comparing aluminum and tunnel formwork based on cost, efficiency, and key selection factors. The main objectives include: (1) identifying important factors in choosing formwork, (2) comparing costs, (3) evaluating cost per square meter, (4) analyzing reusability for cost-effectiveness, and (5) assessing time and cost impacts. The research uses a mix of literature review and case studies from high-rise projects in South and West India. Data was collected on shuttering costs, labor efficiency, reusability, and project timelines. Findings show that aluminum formwork is cost-effective for projects with fewer repetitions due to lower initial investment and labor costs. On the other hand, tunnel formwork is better for large-scale projects needing 450–500 repetitions because of its high reusability and faster construction speed, despite higher upfront costs. This research provides valuable insights for construction professionals, developers, and policymakers. By offering a data-driven comparison, it helps stakeholders choose the best formwork system based on project size, cost limits, and repetition needs. The findings can improve cost efficiency, project timelines, and sustainable construction, especially in developing countries like India.
