Kozhikode: National Institute of Technology Calicut (NITC) has been designated as the first Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Urban Planning and Design in the country by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA).

NITC had submitted a proposal under the Department of Architecture and Planning (DAP). An endowment fund of Rs 250 Crores has been allocated for each institution selected as a CoE. An announcement in this regard was made during the Union Budget 2022-23 presentation.

The CoE at NIT Calicut has been envisioned for multi and transdisciplinary learning and research, aiming to enhance capacity building, consultancy and innovation in Urban Planning and Design. Their proposed aim is to contribute to the creation of urban areas with improved quality of life, aesthetics and economic opportunities, serving as catalysts for national growth.

The CoE at NIT Calicut will be led by Dr P P Anilkumar, Professor, Department of Architecture and Planning. The centre will be supported by a team of experts, advisors, consultants, research associates, and administrative staff.

Dr Anilkumar said the establishment of the CoE will provide the institute with an opportunity to evolve and provide context-based, smart and sustainable solutions to various urban development issues, especially to urban local bodies and other institutions and to offer state-of-the-art training to various cadres of urban planning professionals in south Indian cities.

“This will also help the institute to play a key role in formulating national-level policies on urban development, which in itself will be a significant achievement for an urban planning department started only 8 years back,” Anilkumar said.

Besides Dr Anilkumar at the Team Leader, the proposed CoE will have Dr Naseer M A, Professor, DAP as the Deputy Team Leader. The core group will include Dr Mohammed Firoz C, Head of the Department; Dr Sanil Kumar, Dr Shyni Anilkumar, and Dr Bimal P, Assistant Professors at the department.