Urban Planning Portfolio
Bharat
Oraon
Urban Planning Researcher · GIS Developer · Civic Technology Fellow
Urban planning researcher working at the intersection of spatial data, governance systems, and civic technology for Indian cities.
Expertise
Focus Areas
Four intersecting domains of planning research and technical practice.
Urban Governance
Decentralisation, ULB reform, and institutional design for Indian cities.
Spatial Intelligence
GIS analysis, remote sensing, and spatial data infrastructure for planning.
Urban Mobility
Transit accessibility, street design, and sustainable transport policy.
Civic Technology
Data-driven tools and platforms for participatory urban governance.
Work
Featured Projects
Spatial analysis, GIS, and urban planning research.
Transit Accessibility Analysis — Hyderabad
Hyderabad, Telangana
A spatial analysis of public transit accessibility across Hyderabad's metropolitan region, examining MMTS and TSRTC bus network coverage zones and equity of access.
Urban Heat Island Mapping — Vijayawada
Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh
Remote sensing analysis of land surface temperature patterns across Vijayawada, identifying urban heat islands and their relationship with impervious surface cover.
Street Network and Walkability Assessment
Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh
Analysis of street network connectivity and pedestrian infrastructure quality across Vijayawada's planning zones using graph-based metrics and field surveys.
Writing
Research Highlights
Policy essays and planning research.
Urban Governance in Indian Cities
Decentralisation, Institutional Fragmentation, and the 74th CAA
Three decades after the 74th Constitutional Amendment Act promised decentralisation, Indian urban local bodies remain structurally weak, fiscally constrained, and functionally fragmented. This essay examines why ULBs continue to struggle for meaningful autonomy and what institutional reforms are needed.
Improving Street Design and Public Space Systems
Lessons from Indian Cities for a Pedestrian-First Street Policy
Indian cities have been systematically designed for vehicles, not people. This essay argues for a fundamental shift in street design philosophy — towards complete streets that prioritize pedestrian movement, public life, and equitable access.
Spatial Data Infrastructure for Urban Planning
Building GIS Capacity for Indian Urban Local Bodies
Most Indian ULBs lack the spatial data infrastructure needed for evidence-based planning. This essay examines what a minimal viable spatial data stack looks like for a mid-size Indian city and how to build it.
Let's Collaborate
Working at the intersection of cities, data, and governance.
Open to research collaborations, GIS consulting, and urban planning fellowship opportunities.
Get in touch