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Centre for Urban Studies


CENTRE FOR URBAN STUDIES

About Us

Centre for Urban Studies (CUS) initially known as Centre for Training and Research in Municipal Administration (CTRMA), later renamed as CUS in 1974-75, was established in IIPA in 1966 with the support from Government of India (Ministry of Health and Family Planning the then nodal ministry on urban local bodies/governments) as a result of recommendations from Nuruddin Committee Report (1963). It was duly endorsed by RURC (Rural Urban Relationship Committee) in 1966.

Initially Centre was guided by a senior level advisory committee having the then minister for Parliamentary Affairs Shri I.K. Gujral and Mr. Nuruddin Ahmad (Mayor of Delhi) as members and representatives from Ministries of Health & Family Welfare, Petroleum, Planning Commission etc. Subsequently, the advisory committee was replaced by a Steering Committee having representation from Ministry of Works & Housing/Urban Development and now Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs, regional urban centres and select state governments. As a part of IIPA CUS since beginning has developed and strengthened its national and inter country outreach and coverage of stakeholders. Director IIPA is director CUS and chairperson of steering committee and Coordinator CUS is the member secretary of Steering committee.

Objectives

The Centre was created with specific objectives to operate as an apex institution at national level:

  1. To organize suitable training course for municipal and state officials concerned with Municipal Administration in order to improve the technical and professional character of municipal services.
  2. To hold seminars for the elected leaders of urban local authorities for the purpose of facilitating awareness of problems facing the local bodies and encouraging communication between the technical experts and the popular leaders.
  3. To arrange special conferences and study groups on contemporary problems of municipal administration.
  4. To help other States and regional training and research centres on municipal administration that might be established.
  5. To promote research on various governmental problems of urban and metropolitan growth in India.
  6. To develop an efficient and up-to-date information centres and documentation services in municipal administration in India and abroad.
  7. To provide suitable consultancy service to the various public bodies on municipal administration and to represent India in international conferences.

Our Partners

National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA), Regional Centres for Urban and Environmental Studies (Hyderabad, Lucknow, Mumbai), IIT-Roorkee, Central Public Works Department (CPWD) and Housing and Urban Development Corporation Ltd. (HUDCO), NBCC, MES, National Institute of Urban Management, Hyderabad and 14 Indian states/UT (NCTD, Bihar, West Bengal, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, J & K, Chandigarh,Tamilnadu, Madhya Pradesh, Ladakh and Jharkhand)

European Union, Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies Netherlands, UNHABITAT. 

In the presence of Dr. Jitendra Singh, Hon'ble Union Minister, the MoU was signed between IIPA and ICAI by DG IIPA, Dr. Surendrakumar Bagde and CA. Prasanna Kumar D, President, ICAI (Dated 21/07/2026) 

Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between President of India through Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Government of India and IIPA

Office Order Regarding CUS Coordinator

Thrust Areas for Research in the Centre for Urban Studies (CUS), IIPA

Urban, Planning, Development & Policy

  1. Urbanization trends and economic growth
  2. Land use regulations and spatial planning impacts
  3. Regional disparities and gender dimensions in urban growth
  4. Master plans & zoning, research on spatial planning, land use regulation, and metropolitan region development, Planning strategies for small towns and metropolitan regions
  5. Inclusive Planning, focus on slum rehabilitation, affordable housing, and equitable access to services.
  6. Sustainable Development, integration of green spaces, transit-oriented development, and compact city models.
  7. Policy Evaluation, assessment of national missions like Smart Cities, AMRUT, and PMAY (housing).
  8. Regional planning, linking urban growth with rural hinterlands and peri-urban areas.
  9. Participatory governance, citizen engagement in planning processes, e-governance platforms.

Municipal Finance

  1. Revenue generation, taxes, fees, and innovative financing models like land value capture or congestion pricing.
  2. Budgeting & expenditure allocation of funds to public services, infrastructure, and social programs.
  3. Debt & bonds issuance of municipal bonds, debt sustainability, and credit rating analysis.
  4. Public-private partnerships collaboration with private firms for infrastructure projects and service delivery.
  5. Transparency & accountability, open data initiatives, participatory budgeting, and citizen oversight.
  6. Municipal accounting and auditing
  7. Fiscal decentralization
  8. Intergovernmental fiscal relations, Union Finance Commission, State Finance Commissions

Urban Transport

  1. Mobility & accessibility, public transport systems (metro, bus rapid transit, suburban rail) and their integration.
  2. Traffic management, congestion, road safety, and intelligent transport systems.
  3. Sustainable mobility, promotion of non-motorized transport (cycling, walking) and electric vehicles.
  4. Equity in transport, access for marginalized groups, gender-sensitive transport planning.
  5. Urban freight & logistics, movement of goods within cities, last-mile delivery challenges.

Urban Poverty & Social Issues

  1. Housing and slum rehabilitation
  2. Access to sanitation, childcare, and basic services
  3. Social exclusion and marginalized communities
  4. Impacts of pollution and overcrowding on health
  5. Psychological and social stress in urban environments
  6. Studies of inequality and oppression in city life
  7. Sustainable coexistence of ecological and social systems

Urban Law

  1. Land & property rights, legal frameworks around land acquisition, tenancy, and slum rehabilitation.
  2. Municipal law, powers and responsibilities of municipalities under the 74th Constitutional Amendment and State municipal laws
  3. Environmental law, urban pollution control, waste management regulations, and climate adaptation policies.
  4. Housing & real estate law, implementation of RERA (Real Estate Regulation Act) and affordable housing schemes.
  5. Urban safety & justice, legal responses to crime, gender-based violence, and public safety in cities.
  6. Smart cities & technology law, data privacy, surveillance, and digital governance in urban spaces.

Urban Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR)

  1. Hazard mapping & vulnerability assessment, identifying flood-prone zones, seismic risk areas, and heat islands, GIS-based urban risk mapping for planning and preparedness.
  2. Resilient infrastructure, designing earthquake-resistant buildings and flood-resilient housing, Retrofitting critical infrastructure (bridges, hospitals, schools), Smart drainage and stormwater management systems.
  3. Community-Based DRR, empowering local communities with disaster awareness and preparedness, role of NGOs and civil society in urban resilience.
  4. Climate change adaptation, research on urban heatwaves, water scarcity, and extreme rainfall events, nature-based solutions like urban wetlands, green belts, and mangroves, linking DRR with sustainability and climate resilience.
  5. Technology & innovation, early warning systems for floods and cyclones, Use of AI, IoT, and big data for disaster prediction and response, Mobile apps for citizen reporting and emergency alerts.

Urban Technology, Informatics & AI

  1. Smart infrastructure, AI-driven monitoring of roads, bridges, and utilities to predict failures and optimize maintenance.
  2. Urban mobility intelligent traffic management, autonomous vehicles, adaptive public transport systems, and route optimization.
  3. Energy & environment Smart grids, renewable energy integration, pollution monitoring, and AI-based waste management.
  4. Governance & public services, AI-enabled service delivery, e-governance platforms, and participatory decision-making using citizen data.
  5. Urban safety surveillance systems with facial recognition, predictive policing, and disaster response modeling.
  6. Digital twins virtual city models integrating GIS, mobility, and IoT data for planning and simulation.
  7. Healthcare & well-being Smart hospitals, AI diagnostics, and urban health monitoring systems.
  8. Citizen engagement platforms for participatory AI, feedback loops, and inclusive access to services.

 

Training

Important Capacity Building Activities during last one year

Sl. No.

Name of the program

Date(s)
1

Concept Note of National Urban Conclave on Envisioning Viksit Bharat@2047: Digital Transformation in Urban Planning and Governance

 9 January, 2026
2 Background Note of Capacity Building for Urban Local Bodies: A Roadmap to Viksit Bharat 2047 - National Urban Conclave 2025 8-9 Nov 2025

3

Special Training Program on Climate Smart Delivery of Municipal Services held at Narnaul

May 27, 2025

4

National Urban Conclave on Future Ready Cities

May 19, 2025

5

Three-day Training Program on Financial Management of Urban Local Bodies

April 23-25, 2025

6

Sustainable Urban Futures: Policy, Planning, Management-A Multi-Disciplinary International Conference (in collaboration with XIM University, Bhubaneshwar, Odisha as Knowledge Partner)

February 13-14, 2025

7

Two-day Special Training Program on Urban Governance held at Mandi

February 11-12, 2025

8

Five-day Comprehensive Training Program on Urban Development: Status, Issues and Strategies

February 3-7, 2025

9

Two-day Special Training Program on Urban Governance held at Dharamshala

January 8-9, 2025

10

Two-day Urban Study Visit to Hyderabad of Senior Govt. Officers

November 28-29, 2024

9

Two-day Urban Study Visit to Bengaluru of Senior Govt. Officers

November 28-29, 2024

11

Training-of-Trainers on ‘Integrated Urban Planning using GIS-based tools in India’

November 18-20, 2024

12

Five-day Comprehensive Training Program on Urban Development: Status, Issues and Strategies

November 4-8, 2024

13

Special Training Program on Climate Smart Delivery of Municipal Services held at Karnal

October 25, 2024

14

Special training Program on Climate Smart Delivery of Municipal Services held at Panchkula

September 3, 2024

15

Five-day Comprehensive Training Program on Urban Development: Status, Issues and Strategies

July 8-12, 2024

16

Two-day Special Training Program on Urban Governance held at Kargil

June 21-22, 2024

17

Two-day Special Training Program on Urban Governance held at Leh

June 18-19, 2024

 

Last Eight Years Training Programme List

Research

Recent Research activities include policy research to Government of India and states and major ULB’s, Action research for functionaries at cutting edge level and evaluation of specific scheme and programmes. Research is also used to develop contents for capacity building programmes and disseminate information through a range of publications. CUS also carries out documentation of best practices on specific urban innovations.

Recent studies cover Municipalities specific work on NDMC Gurugram, Bengaluru, TNA for TNUDP, SIA studies in Delhi.

  1. Interim Report of Social Impact Assessment for widening of Existing Road in Village Pul Pehladpur along blind School, Lal Kuan, M.B. Road

List of Research Studies

  1. Study on Impact of RERA on Home Buyers in India (ongoing)
  2. Study on Framework for Minimum Waste Localities, Case Study: Ward(s) of Varanasi (ongoing)
  3. Study on Impact Assessment of Convergence of Projects in Smart Cities Mission (2024)
  4. Study on Veracity of Swachh Survekshan in select cities/states (2024)
  5. Study on Application of 4IR in Urban Governance in India (2024)
  6. Study on Blue Green Infrastructure: A Journey from Opportunity to Necessity (2024)
  7. Social Impact Assessment for Land Acquisition at Village Palam for DDA's Dwarka Project Phase-1 (2024)
  8. Social Impact Assessment for Land Acquisition at Village Satbari for DDA Project of Gaushal Road Construction (2024)
  9. Social Impact Assessment for Land Acquisition at Village Maidan Garhi for DDA Project of Road Construction (2024)
  10. Social Impact Assessment (SIA) of Land Acquisition at Tajpur Khurd Village for construction of Waste Water Treatment Plant (2024)
  11. Social Impact Assessment (SIA) Study - Land Acquisition proceedings for Construction of “Police Station Sonia Vihar for Delhi Police at Sabhapur Shahdara Village, New Delhi (2024)
  12. Study on PMSVANidhi in Andhra Pradesh (2023)
  13. Social Impact Assessment (SIA) of Land Acquisition at Bakhtawar Pur Village for Construction of Decentralized Sewage Treatment Plant and Pumping Station (2023)
  14. In-house Study on PMSVANidhi – A Model for Equity & Growth (2022)
  15. Study on Community Participation in Rainwater Harvesting (2022)
  16. Study on HRIDAY Mission (2022)
  17. Study on Decentralised Waste Management (2022)
  18. Social Impact Assessment for Land Acquisition at Village Khanpur, New Delhi (2022)
  19. Social Impact Assessment of DMRC project from Janakpuri West to R.K. Ashram Corridor at Rahat Ganj/Aram Ganj, Roshnara Road, Pul Bangash (2022)
  20. Training Need Assessment (TNA) for Virtual Training Programme on Urban Governance for Municipal Engineers in Tamil Nadu. (2021)
  21. Manpower Assessment of Six (HR, Public Health, Civil Engineering, Horticulture, Education and Electricity) Departments of NDMC (2020)
  22. Third Party Audit (Process audit on Governance system) of eight hospitals (2019) (Govt. of NCTD in line with the order of Hon’ble High Court of Delhi)
  23. City Specific Feedback Studies (Urban Exposure visits) (DoPT) (2019)
  24. Documentation of Best Practices in Waste Management (MoHUA) (2019)
  25. Third Party Assessment of Reforms Implemented under AMRUT (2018-19)
  26. Social Impact Assessment for a part of land to be acquired for Metro and Convection Centre in Dwarka (Delhi) (2018-19)
  27. Developing Case Studies on Initiatives taken by Municipal Corporation Gurugram (MCG). (The study was published and the book released by Hon’ble Vice President of India Shri Venkaiah Naidu on 11th October, 2017)
  28. Role of Administrative Training Institutes (ATIs) in Swachh Bharat Mission -Urban (The study was published and the book was released by Hon’ble Secretary of Housing & Urban Affairs, Shri Durga Shankar Mishra on 30th January, 2018)
  29. Study on Energy Efficiency in Eco Cities. (2018)
  30. “Comprehensive Capacity Building Plan for Urban Local Bodies of Arunachal Pradesh” sponsored by Ministry of Urban Development, Government of Arunachal Pradesh (2015)
  31. A study of Legislative Framework of Municipal Bodies in India sponsored by Ministry of Urban Development, Government of India (2015)
  32. Study on Urban Management and Governance (Development of Training Module) sponsored by Housing and Urban Development Corporation, New Delhi (2015)
  33. Study on Fourth tier of Government-Local Council in Mizoram sponsored by Housing and Urban Development Corporation, New Delhi (2015)
  34. Municipal Infrastructure Potential for HUDCO Lending sponsored by Housing and Urban Development Corporation, New Delhi (2014)
  35. Documentation of Livelihoods generation for Urban poor through PPP and resource mobilization for urban poverty alleviation sponsored by Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation (2013)
  36. Urban Sector feedback for district/Metropolitan Planning Committees sponsored by Ministry of Urban Development, Government of India (2011)
  37. Urban Basic Services Programme and Municipal Finance sponsored by Ministry of Housing Urban Poverty Alleviation, Government of India (2011)
  38. Mobilization of Own Municipal Sources sponsored by Ministry of Urban Development, Government of India (2010)
  39. Impact of the Constitution (74th Amendment) Act on the Working of Urban Local Bodies sponsored by Ministry of Urban Development and Poverty Alleviation, Government of India (2005)
  40. Urban local bodies-Making them self-reliant sponsored by Twelfth Finance Committee, Government of India (2004)
  41. Evaluation of AUWSP in 7 towns of Andhra Pradesh sponsored by Ministry of Urban Development and Poverty Alleviation, Government of India (2004)
  42. Financing of Urban Local Governments in Uttar Pradesh-A Case Study of Agra sponsored by Indian Institute of Public Administration, New Delhi (2004)
  43. Management of slums in Delhi sponsored by Indian Institute of Public Administration, New Delhi (2002)
  44. Administrative Welfare Service: A comparative study of government and NGOs in Delhi sponsored by Indian Institute of Public Administration, New Delhi (1997)
  45. Legislations relating to Town Planning and Urban Development Authorities sponsored by Indian Institute of Public Administration, New Delhi (1996)
  46. Upgradation of Slums: A study of Kanpur city sponsored by Indian Institute of Public Administration, New Delhi (1996)
  47. Public-private sector interface and harmonization for urban development in the national context sponsored by United Nations Development Programme (1995)
  48. Organisation effectiveness of Urban Basic Service Programme in selected slum areas of Delhi sponsored by World Health Organisation (1995)
  49. A report on the election study to Delhi Assembly: Case study of R.K. Puram constituency sponsored by Indian Institute of Public Administration, New Delhi (1994)
  50. Public-private partnership in Urban Development with reference to services, housing and infrastructure sponsored by Ministry of Urban Development, Government of India (1994)
  51. Delhi Assembly Elections: A study of Minto Road Assembly Constituency sponsored by Indian Institute of Public Administration, New Delhi (1994)
  52. Municipal Financial Management sponsored by Planning Commission (1990)
  53. The background and role of the property dealer vis-à-vis the property system in Delhi sponsored by Indian Institute of Public Administration, New Delhi (1990)
  54. Managing Urban Development: Policy issues in urban Services for the poor sponsored by United Nations International Childrens Emergency Fund (1985)
  55. Municipal government and urban development: A study of the recent reforms in West Bengal sponsored by Indian Institute of Public Administration, New Delhi (1984)
  56. Municipal personnel administration: A comparative study of unified and separate systems sponsored by Ministry of Works and Housing, Government of India (1984)
  57. Slum upgradation – Study of Kanpur city sponsored by Indian Institute of Public Administration, New Delhi (1984)
  58. Simla Municipal Corporation - Retirement benefits of its employees sponsored by Simla Municipal Corporation (1983)
  59. Organisation and Management of Solid Wastes in Delhi sponsored by Indian Institute of Public Administration, New Delhi and Center of Urban Studies (1982)
  60. Motivation to work (A study of middle level executives of Delhi Administration) sponsored by Indian Institute of Public Administration, New Delhi (1981)
  61. Election to the Delhi metropolitan council sponsored by Indian Council of Social Science Research (1981)
  62. Election to the Delhi Metropolitan Council sponsored by Indian Council of Social Science Research (1980)
  63. Rental control legislation and property tax assessment sponsored by Indian Institute of Public Administration, New Delhi and Centre for Urban Studies (1980)
  64. Organisation for valuation and assessment of property tax sponsored by Indian Institute of Public Administration, New Delhi and Centre for Urban Studies (1980)
  65. Introduction of performance budgeting in Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation sponsored by Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (1980)
  66. Sanitation and drinking water supply sponsored by World Health Organisation (1979)
  67. Organisational framework for metropolitan planning and development sponsored by Indian Council of Social Science Research/Ministry of Works and Housing (1979)
  68. Distribution and differential location of public utilities in Urban Delhi sponsored by Indian Council of Social Science Research (1978)
  69. Evaluation of rural water supply sponsored by Indian Institute of Public Administration, New Delhi (1977)
  70. Urban land and housing policies sponsored by Indian Institute of Public Administration, New Delhi (1977)
  71. Allocation and utilization of police force in Delhi sponsored by Indian Institute of Public Administration, New Delhi (1977)
  72. Study on metering of municipal water supply sponsored by Indian Institute of Public Administration, New Delhi (1977)
  73. Problems of pensioners in Delhi: A socio-economic survey of policy and administration sponsored by Indian Institute of Public Administration, New Delhi (1977)
  74. Study of the New Delhi South Zone of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi sponsored by Municipal Corporation of Delhi (1977)
  75. Local government system in India: Municipal government sponsored by Indian Institute of Public Administration, New Delhi (1976)
  76. A draft code for assessment and valuation of properties for municipal taxation sponsored by Indian Institute of Public Administration, New Delhi (1976)
  77. Pilot study on leadership in urban and rural areas sponsored by Indian Institute of Public Administration, New Delhi (1975)
  78. Sweepers’ strike in Delhi municipal corporation sponsored by Indian Institute of Public Administration, New Delhi (1975)
  79. Study of corporate planning in a major municipal system sponsored by Indian Institute of Public Administration, New Delhi (1974)
  80. Study of the arrival and service pattern at the New Delhi Reservation Offices sponsored by Indian Institute of Public Administration, New Delhi (1974)
  81. Analysis of finances of major municipalities in India sponsored by Indian Institute of Public Administration, New Delhi (1974)
  82. Municipal Government and Labour Legislation sponsored by Indian Institute of Public Administration, New Delhi (1973)
  83. Citizen and Municipal Bureaucracy; and Property Tax Administration sponsored by Indian Institute of Public Administration, New Delhi (1972)
  84. Application of performance budgeting in the central public works department sponsored by Indian Institute of Public Administration, New Delhi (1972)
  85. State-municipal relations sponsored by Indian Institute of Public Administration, New Delhi (1970)
  86. Recreational and educational facilities in municipalities in India sponsored by Indian Institute of Public Administration, New Delhi (1970)
  87. Municipal taxes and other Levies sponsored by Indian Institute of Public Administration, New Delhi (1970)
  88. Organisation of municipal corporation in India-a manual sponsored by Indian Institute of Public Administration, New Delhi (1970)
  89. Assessment Department of Delhi Municipal Corporation sponsored by Administrative Reform Commission, Government of India (1969)
  90. Union-State Relations in Urban Development sponsored by Administrative Reform Commission, Government of India (1967)
  91. An evaluation of the working delegation of financial powers-case studies in the Department of Agriculture and Ministry of Works and Housing sponsored by Administrative Reform Commission, Government of India (1967)
  92. Union-state relations in Urban development sponsored by Administrative Reform Commission, Government of India (1967)
  93. Survey of the building construction department of the Delhi municipal corporation sponsored by Ministry of Home Affairs (1966)
  94. Delegation of financial powers-A study of selected departments in the Ministry of Food, Agriculture, Community Development and Corporation and Ministry of Works, Housing and Urban Development sponsored by Indian Institute of Public Administration, New Delhi (1966)
  95. Experience of Citizens in getting water connection (A study in corruption) sponsored by Indian Institute of Public Administration, New Delhi (1966)
  96. Experience of citizens in getting water connections sponsored by Indian Institute of Public Administration, New Delhi (1965)

Publication

CUS brings out a quarterly journal of high repute namely NAGARLOK. Knowledge pool of CUS also includes Dissertations, field visit reports, articles by faculty and TV talks, and webinars.

Publications - Recent Books

  1. Envisioning Viksit Bharat@2047: Digital Transformation for Urban Planning and Governance: Prof. Charru Malhotra and Dr. Priyank Goswami (2026)
  2. Veracity of Swachh Survekshan in select cities/states (Working Paper-III, 2024)
  3. Blue Green Infrastructure: A Journey from Opportunity to Necessity states (Working Paper-II, 2024)
  4. Application of 4IR in Urban Governance in India states (Working Paper-I, 2024)
  5. Stimulating Urban Decentralisation in India @2047 (2023)
  6. Nagarlok Special Issue on U20 (2023)
  7. Community Participation in Rainwater Harvesting: A Case Study of Delhi (2022)
  8. Assessment of HRIDAY in the Development of Listed Cities (2022)
  9. Waste Management Models in Fastest Mover Indian Megacity-2021: Process and Lessons (2022)
  10. IIPA Digest: Dedicated to Urban Sector, Vol No.2, Issue-3, July-September, 2020
  11. Making Gurugram: A Millennium City (The study was published and the book released by Hon’ble Vice President of India Shri Venkaiah Naidu on 11th October, 2017)
  12. Role of Administrative Training Institutes (ATIs) in Swachh Bharat Mission -Urban (The study was published and the book was released by Hon’ble Secretary of Housing & Urban Affairs, Shri Durga Shankar Mishra on 30th January, 2018)
  13. Governance for Sustainable Cities (The study was published and the book released by Hon’ble Minister for Environment Dr. Harsh Vardhan on 30th April, 2018 2018)
  14. Report on Stakeholder Consultation on Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act (RERA), 2016 and its Implementation
  15. Indian Urbanisation and Sustainable Development Spatial Perspectives
  16. Training Module on Urban Governance
  17. Local Councils in Mizoram
  18. Municipal Finance for Inclusive Habitat
  19. Planning Development for Metropolitan Region
  20. Potential for Financing City Infrastructure
  21. Stimulating Revenue Base of ULBs
  22. Administration of Urban Development and Urban Service Delivery
  23. Report of Working Group to Study the Need for Changes in Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development (MSMED) Act, 2006
  1. Prof. V. N. Alok (Coordinator), Professor of Urban Finance 
  2. Prof. Charru Malhotra (Special invitee), Professor of e-Governance & ICT 
  3. Dr. Sachin Chowdhry, Associate Professor of Public Administration
  4. Dr. Amit Kumar Singh, Assistant Professor of Urban Development