The academic rationale behind setting up the Schools of Planning and Architecture (SPAs) in India was to develop specialised expertise in architecture, urban planning, and design to support the country’s rapid urbanisation and infrastructure development. As India’s cities expanded and became more complex, there was a growing need for professionally trained architects and planners capable of addressing spatial, environmental, social, and economic challenges in the built environment. Academically, SPAs were conceived as centres of excellence offering rigorous education in architectural design, urban and regional planning, housing, transport planning, and environmental planning. Their curricula integrate design studios, technical training, theory, and research, enabling students to combine creative design with analytical and policy-oriented thinking. Emphasis is placed on contextual understanding, sustainability, and responsiveness to India’s diverse climatic, cultural, and socio-economic conditions.

A key academic objective was to strengthen planning education and research, which had historically been underrepresented compared to engineering disciplines. SPAs promote interdisciplinary approaches, drawing from engineering, social sciences, environmental studies, and public policy to address complex urban and regional issues. SPAs also play an important role in research, consultancy, and capacity building for government agencies and local bodies. Academically, they set national benchmarks for architecture and planning education, contribute to evidence-based urban policy, and support the creation of skilled professionals essential for sustainable and inclusive spatial development in India.