AT A GLANCE
Shanu Raina
Area of Practice:
Urban Planning, Urban Design, Research, Public Engagement and Community Participation
OVERVIEW
Shanu Raina is an urban planning researcher, architect, and PhD research scholar at NIT Patna, specialising in women-centric urban development, public space transformation, and smart cities. Shanu’s doctoral work studies parameters that impact the perception of safety in urban neighborhood parks, emphasising inclusive design and community well-being.
With a strong foundation in architecture, Shanu’s professional journey led to exploring the dynamics between built environments and community impact. Shanu blends design thinking, policy analysis, and research-driven insights in projects spanning eco-restoration, smart cities, and public space development, particularly through roles with the Delhi Urban Art Commission and the National Institute of Urban Affairs. In academia, Shanu has taught urban planning and design at prominent institutions, fostering interdisciplinary learning and public engagement among students.
Professionally, Shanu has contributed to architectural design, master planning, public policy, and community engagement, focusing on inclusivity, accessibility, and well-being in public spaces. Passionate about participatory design, Shanu emphasizes collaboration and evidence-based studies to inform urban policies and practices that foster safer, more vibrant communities.
EDUCATION
Pursuing PhD: Currently a doctoral candidate at the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Patna, focusing on parameters affecting perceptions of safety in urban neighborhood park. Master’s in Urban Planning: Completed from the School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi (2010-2012) . Bachelor’s in Architecture: Graduated from Government College of Architecture, Lucknow (2004-2009).
WORK EXPERIENCE
Shanu’s professional experience combines academic roles, consulting, and hands-on urban planning projects. Until July 2024, Shanu served as an Associate Professor (Core) at BMS School of Architecture in Bangalore, facilitating core courses in architecture across B.Arch and M.Arch(Urban Design Studio) programs, integrating studio work with lectures. At Design Cartel, Bangalore her work as a consultant revolved around eco-restoration and redevelopment of Palapatty Lake in Salem. She has facilitated students at BMS College of Architecture, Bangalore as an Assistant Professor (Core) pursuing B.Arch and M.Arch (Habitat Design). At the School of Planning and Architecture (SPA) in New Delhi, Shanu as a Visiting faculty taught in the Master’s program for Urban Planning, specializing in Regional Planning Studio, and in the Bachelor’s program, Physical Planning Studio. Additionally, at Deenbandhu Chhotu Ram University in Sonepat, she as a visiting faculty facilitated undergraduate architecture students and those pursuing master’s degrees in Regional and Urban Planning.
She has worked as a Research Associate with the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA), her contribution to the Ministry of Urban Development’s Smart Cities initiative, particularly in capacity development at CIDCO Smart City, as part of the Project Management Unit (PMU). In a consulting role with the Delhi Urban Art Commission (DUAC), she helped develop the Model Building Bye-Laws 2016 for Delhi under the chairmanship of architect Raj Rewal. Earlier, she gained practical architectural experience with Oasis Design Pvt. Ltd., working on streetscaping for the Commonwealth Games 2010 in New Delhi.
INTEREST AREAS
Safety in Public space especially through lens of gender, Socio-Spatial Transformation in cities, Community Participation in Urban Development, Indigenous Knowledge in traditional urban planning principles and sustainable urban practices, Smart Cities, Public policies and Research.
CURRENT PRACTICE AT SRISHTI
At her current practice at Srishti Manipal Institute (SMI), she reflects an integrative and immersive approach to facilitate public space design. Her work emphasizes the nuanced relationships between space, culture, and community dynamics, guiding students in developing a deep, context-driven understanding of public spaces. This multifaceted practice combines theoretical exploration with practical engagement, equipping students with the skills to approach public space design as responsive, culturally informed, and temporally sensitive
TEACHING PORTFOLIO
- Temporal spaces| Exploration of time as a function of space and function.
- Familiar and Alien| Exploring how migration shapes local economies, cultures, and social dynamics.
- Workshop as a tool & method to understand and create immersive experiences to expand spatial understanding in public spaces.
- Field visits| Context-specific exploration, immersion into and sensitization to the built & cultural landscapes.
- Academic Research Writing | An Introduction to manuscript writing in social sciences.
CREATIVE PRACTICE & OUTREACH
Through a blend of narrative-driven research and practical applications, Shanu’s work as an architect and urban planning researcher intersects creative and professional practices to shape inclusive, safe, and vibrant public spaces. With a foundation in architecture and urban planning, Shanu combines design thinking with rigorous research to tackle complex urban challenges. Their work ranges from developing frameworks for safety perception in urban parks to contributing to transformative projects like the Smart Cities initiative and the Model Building Bye-Laws in Delhi. As a scholar and educator, Shanu fosters multidisciplinary exploration, encouraging students to consider temporal, sensory, and community-driven aspects of urban design.
