top of page

Research Interests

Urban and Regional Planner | Interdisciplinary Researcher

Currently, a research scientist under the Italian Ministry (UNiCA, MUR) and previously a research fellow under the Prime Minister Research Fellowship (PMRF) at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur, India. My broad area of research is Urban and Regional Planning, with a focus on accessibility, sustainable development, and urban morphological transitions. 

Teaching Interests

Qualitative and Quantitative Design Approaches for Policymaking

Architectural & Urban Design Studios (Undergraduate & Postgraduate) | Integrated Urban Planning | Sustainable Cities & Societies Workshops | Infrastructure Management & Modelling | Quantitative Urban Modelling of Spatial Metrics | Final Project/Thesis Supervision

Ongoing Research Project

"Governance tools to support urban and territorial accessibility in Sardinia"

funded by the European Commission and the Italian Government and in collaboration with

Prof. Dr. Chiara Garau, DICAAR, University of Cagliari, Sardinia, Italy

1596-tsh-porto-hub-drone-tour-final-572111-thumbnail-00001.jpg

Urban Accessibility and its Impact on Cultural, Social, and Infrastructural Dynamics

Urban accessibility plays a pivotal role in shaping the cultural, social, and infrastructural dynamics of cities. By facilitating the movement of people, goods, and information, accessible urban environments promote inclusivity, equitable access to opportunities, and enhanced quality of life. Culturally, improved accessibility enables diverse communities to interact, share spaces, and engage in public life, fostering social cohesion and identity. Socially, it supports integration by connecting marginalized populations to essential services such as education, healthcare, and employment. Infrastructurally, accessibility drives investment in multimodal transportation networks, public spaces, and digital infrastructure, influencing patterns of urban development and land use. As cities evolve, prioritizing accessibility is essential for building resilient, connected, and socially vibrant urban systems.

Education

  • 2020 - 2024: PhD in Urban  & Regional Planning, RCGSIDM, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, India

  • 2017 - 2019: Master of Architecture (M.Arch) in Urban Regeneration, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, India

  • 2012 - 2017: Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch), ZHCET, Aligarh Muslim University, India

Experience

  • 2025 - Present: Visiting Researcher, University of Porto, Portugal

  • 2024 - Present: Senior Research Scientist (Postdoctoral Fellow), University of Cagliari, Italy

  • 2020 - 2024: Teaching and Research Assistant, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, India

  • 2023 - 2023: Teaching Assistant, National Programme on Technology Enhanced Learning, India

  • 2022 - 2023: Teaching Assistant, Medinipur Sadar Government Polytechnic, India

  • 2022 - 2022: Teaching Assistant, Aligarh Muslim University, India

  • 2019 - 2019: Urban Planner, Beyond Built Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi, India

  • 2017 - 2019: Architect, Studio Axis Design, New Delhi, India

  • 2017 - 2017: Architectural Intern, Architectonic Services, Kolkata, India

Honours and Awards

  • 2025: Winner of Young Researchers Mobility Programme (MGR25): Awarded research grant for travelling & conducting research at the University of Porto (Portugal). Funded by the Autonomous Region of Sardinia, with funds from Regional Law no. 7 of 7 August 2007, “Promotion of Scientific
    Research and Technological Innovation in Sardinia”. Also recognised under the European 'HR Excellence in Research Award'.

  • 2024: Winner & awarded research grant: L. 30.12.10 N. 240 – Code 47A-24, DR 13.05.2024 n. 765, published on 15.05.2024 Area 08 - Civil Engineering and Architecture, SC 08/F1 - SSD ICAR/20 – funded by the Italian Ministry, Next Generation EU, and the University of Cagliari.

  • 2024: Successfully completed the PMRF Project (related to PhD thesis) in India.

  • 2022: Commendable Performance attained in PMRF annual research review in Dec 2022 and classified as the top 8% of researchers by MHRD, Govt. of India (out of 2500 PMRF students in the country).

  • 2021: Awarded the Prime Minister Research Fellowship (PMRF) for PhD thesis project implementation, Ministry of Human Resource and Development and Ministry of Education, India

  • 2020: Awarded the Institute Assistantship, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, India

  • 2019: Top 25 candidates: DAIDA Thesis Awards 2019-2020 (For more details, visit ihs.nl/en/award-candidates)

  • 2019: Gold Medalist for securing the first position in M.Arch (Urban Regeneration) at Jamia Millia Islamia, India. (For more details, visit jmi.ac.in)

  • 2017: Silver Medalist for securing the second position in B.Arch (Architecture) at Aligarh Muslim University, India (For more details, visit amu.ac.in/)

Memberships

  • American Geophysical Union (AGU)

  • Architectural Engineering Institute (AEI),

  • American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)

  • International Seminar on Urban Form (ISUF)

  • International Society of City and Regional Planners (ISOCARP)

  • Regional Studies Association (RSA) 

  • Urban Affairs Association (UAA)

  • Licensed Architect under the Council of Architecture (CoA), India (License no.: CA/2017/88104)

Publications

Journal Articles

  • 2024

    • Alam, T., & Banerjee, A. (2024). Investigating urban morphological drivers of household water use in developing economies: A structural equation model approach. Environment and Planning B: Urban Analytics and City Science, 52(5). https://doi.org/10.1177/23998083241284824

    • Alam, T., & Banerjee, A. (2024). Impact of Urban Morphology on Transportation Preferences in Fostering the Sustainable Development of Emerging Urban Centers in South Bengal. Journal of the Eastern Asia Society for Transportation Studies, 15, 690–707. https://doi.org/10.11175/easts.15.690 

  • 2023

    • Alam, T., & Banerjee, A. (2023). Analyzing the Urban Form in Suburban Areas of the South Bengal Region Using Built Fractals. Journal of Urban Planning and Development: ASCE. https://doi.org/10.1061/JUPDDM.UPENG-4543 

  • 2022

    • Alam, T., & Banerjee, A. (2022). Characterizing Land Transformation and Densification Using Urban Sprawl Metrics in the South Bengal region of India. Sustainable Cities and Society, 104295. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scs.2022.104295

  • 2021

    • Alam, T., & Banerjee, A. (2021). Rapid Transit-Oriented Morphological Transformations in Indian Cities: A Case of Kolkata Metro. Sustainable Urban Mobility: Opportunities and Challenges in Developing Countries. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.8321753

Proceedings

  • 2025

    • Alam, T., Garau, C. (2026). Evaluating Geometric and Structured Fractal Analysis Methods to Determine the Optimal Approach for Urban Road Network Assessment. In: Gervasi, O., et al. Computational Science and Its Applications – ICCSA 2025 Workshops. ICCSA 2025. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 15895. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-97651-3_6 â€‹â€‹

  • 2023

    • Alam, T., & Banerjee, A. (2023, September 4 – 7). Impact of Urban Morphology on Transportation Preferences in Fostering the Sustainable Development of Emerging Urban Centers in South Bengal. In Proceedings of the 15th International Conference of Eastern Asia Society for Transportation (EASTS'2023). Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; EASTS. https://doi.org/10.11175/easts.15.690. 

    • Alam, T., & Banerjee, A. (2023, September 3 – 9). Evaluation of Urban Typologies and Land Affordability Surrounding Core City in Kolkata Urban Agglomeration. Book of Abstracts. Conference of the International Seminar on Urban Form (ISUF). Belgrade, Serbia. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14245425

    • Oral presentation at the AESOP PhD Workshop and 35th Annual Congress, Poznan and Lodz, Poland (5 – 15 July 2023)

    • Alam, T., & Banerjee, A. (2023). Morphing demographic characteristics driven by altering water use in South Bengal. Book of Abstracts, Annual Research on Cities Summit (ARCS) 7.0. Vol 1(1). pp. 26. School of Human Settlements, XIM University. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7648092

  • 2022

  • 2019

    • Alam, T. (2019). Impact of Anthropogenic Activities on Natural Resources: A Case of Water in Kullu Region, Himachal Pradesh. Conference proceedings of Architecture for Masses: Ekistics (Vol. 1 (1), ISBN 978-8193774946), Jamia Publication House

    • Alam, T. (2019, February 17 – 19). Sustainable Approach to City Development:  A Case of Kullu Valley, Himachal Pradesh, India. Oral Presentation at the 4th National Conference on Sustainable Architecture and City, Tehran, Iran. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.8325633

Book Chapters

  • 2021

  • 2020

    • Alam, T. (2020). Impact of Tourism on Local Communities: A Case of Nalanda, Bihar. In Urban Development: Philosophies, Principles & Practices Vol. 1(1) ISBN: 978-81-948211-4-4, pp. 193 - 218). Jamia Publication House. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.8379569

Scientifc Outreach

  • 2025

    • ​Garau, C. & Alam, T. (2025, June 18 – 20). Mapping the City: Assessing the Suitability of Space Syntax and Fractal Models for Analysing Urban Forms. XXVII National Conference of the Italian Society of Urban Planners. Milan, Italy.

    • Alam, T. & Garau, C. (2025, April 10 – 12). Enhancing Accessibility: Exploring Urban and Regional Connectivity Possibilities in Sardinia, Italy. International conference 2nd edition Accessibility and Inland Mobility Advancement Strategies (AIMAS). Petralia Soprana, Sicily, Italy.

    • Askarizad, A., Dastoum, M., Alam, T., Garau, C. (2025, April 4). Reimagining Healthier Cities: Post-Pandemic Urban Design and the Paradox of Social Connectivity vs. Distancing. Basic, Translational, and Clinical Research, Driven by Covid-19 Pandemics. Cagliari, Sardinia, Italy. [Awarded Best Presentation]

  • 2024

    • Alam, T. (2024, December 3–6). Comparing anthropogenic water risks from climate change in London and Kolkata [Conference presentation]. 7th Symposium Formal Methods in Architecture, Ordem dos Arquitetos – Secção Regional Norte (OA-SRN), Porto, Portugal.

    • Alam, T. (2024, June 23 – 28). Comparing Anthropogenic Water Risks from Climate Change in London and Kolkata. Water Science Conference. St. Paul, Minnesota, USA.

    • Alam, T. (2024, January 24 – 26). Regional Spatial Justice: Role of Urban Typologies Surrounding Core City in Kolkata Urban Agglomeration. Twentieth International Conference on Environmental, Cultural, Economic & Social Sustainability. Aveiro, Portugal. https://cgscholar.com/cg_event/events/S24en/proposal/69472 

  • 2023

    • Alam, T. (2023, July 5 – 15). Urban Morphology: An Integrated Approach Towards Dynamic Urban Futures. Oral Presentation at the AESOP PhD Workshop and 35th Annual Congress, Poznan and Lodz, Poland.

    • Alam, T., & Banerjee, A. (2023, February 10 – 11). Morphing demographic characteristics driven by altering water use in South Bengal. Book of Abstracts. Annual Research on Cities Summit (ARCS) 7.0. Vol 1(1). pp. 26. School of Human Settlements, XIM University. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7648092.

  • 2022

  • 2021

    • Oral Presentation at the Sustainable Urban Mobility Opportunities and Challenges in Developing Countries (ITPI Bengal Chapter), Kolkata, India (1 – 3 October 2021) [Awarded Best Presentation]

  • 2019

    • Oral Presentation at International Conference on Water Resource, Climate Change and Sustainability, Hyderabad, India (27 – 28 September 2019)​

Peer Reviewer

â’¸ Tazyeen Alam. 2023 - 2027.
All rights reserved to the owner of this page. Copying any information without the permission or acknowledgement of the owner will lead to an act of Plagiarism.

bottom of page