Ar. Parangam Sarma Basistha has been working as the Head of Urban Planning Department at Guwahati College of Architecture, Guwahati, Assam. He has done B. Arch from Guwahati College of Architecture of Assam, Masters in Urban and Regional Planning (MURP) and PhD from Indian Institute of Science, Engineering and Technology of Shibpur and 5 year Diploma in Art and Craft from Ankita Kala Niketan of Nalbari as part of his academics.

Guwahati College of Architecture and Planning

How does the curriculum of the Urban and Regional Planning Department in GCAP ensure the best practices of industry?

"We have designed the curriculum in accordance with the processes followed by IITs and also organize special events to expose students to outside world"

The Department of Urban and Regional Planning was started in 2016 in Guwahati College of Architecture and Planning and from that day onwards we are delivering the best and employment oriented education to young minds. And to develop such a curriculum which can make students industry and job ready, we have thoroughly analyzed and taken the reference from different IITs and National Schools. Besides this, to produce finest Urban Planners, we have included the latest techniques and processes of urban planning and currently subjects like Urban Planning Studio, Urban Heritage Conservation, Tourism Planning, Infrastructure and Environmental Planning, Planning Legislation, GIS, Statistics and Computer Applications are being taught to students along with micro and macro-economics and spatial planning. Last but not the least, events and activities like workshops, seminars and conferences are regularly conducted by us in collaboration with different universities. 

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Being the Head of Urban Planning Department, what would you like to say about the success story of your institution?

"We are the proud institute of Guwahati who offers education in Urban Planning and ensure 100% placement for students"

I was always passionate about the Architecture field, so although I was working as an Architect, soon after I finished my Masters in Urban and Regional Planning from IIEST, I started pursuing the PhD in Urban Planning. 

Also my journey with the institute has been simply amazing and in 2016 our respected Managing Trustee Ar. Abani Das Sir, CEO Saahil Das Sir along with the management team have established the Urban Planning Department in our college with the aim of offering outcome based education, as no other institution was offering education in this domain. And we are pleased of achieving a milestone of 100% placement for our students and while some them are now working in reputed MNCs like Tata Consultancy Engineering (TCE), Nektor Engineers and Projects Consultants, PWD Development Authorities, many are working as an Assistant Professor in different Urban Planning institutions. Apart from all this, our students have done internships at Dibrugarh, Nagao, Silchar and Lala master Plan and in 2022 we have been awarded in the Mission Amrit Sarovar Project by Govt. of India amongst 230 colleges in India where our student did rejuvenation planning for Silpukhuri and Dighalipukhuri lake areas. 

What do you think should be the College’s top priority over the next 10 years?

Our Guwahati College of Architecture is the first architectural college with an urban planning department in the entire North Eastern area which has created awareness about Urban Planning and Architecture and we have been delivering quality education for years now. Also, students now don't have to go to other places to study Architecture and Urban Planning as we are here in the prime location of Guwahati. Therefore, our top priority in the coming years will be to continue providing quality education and industry-ready architects and urban planners to students with focus on making them capable enough of designing solutions for regional issues. Apart from this, we would also be focusing on engaging students in different sectors, involving society to ensure the growth of the region and establishing Research and Development Cell, Innovation Cell and Urban Journalism in college campuses.

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Any precious advice which you would like to give to the current youth and aspiring students?

In today's dynamic and digital world, the field of Urban Planning is very important as it's directly related to society and economics and deals with urban issues. And nowadays, people working in this sector need to take care of both traditional as well as technological aspects. Also, with a rapidly growing population, new smart cities are being made with the use of the best technologies. Hence I would like to advise my dear students and youths of our society to continuously upgrade their technical skills and mode of learning. In addition to all this, emerging Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence has now ruled every aspect and students are expected to have expertise on both of these. So come and join us in your journey of Urban Planning because we would prove to be the best place for your aspirations of becoming a world class Architect and will make you capable enough to solve societal issues and contribute directly in the development process of both society and nation.