The School of Planning and Architecture (SPA), Bhopal commenced a three-day Executive Development Programme on “Assessing Universal Accessibility through GIS Applications” on 11 December 2025, marking a significant step toward promoting inclusive and accessible urban development. The programme has brought together a diverse group of professionals, policymakers, academicians, and civil society stakeholders committed to strengthening universally accessible urban infrastructure.
The programme is being organised under AMRUT Mission 2.0 of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), Government of India, and is part of a special project titled “Geospatial Approach to Assess Inclusive Mobility in Ujjain”. The initiative is anchored by the Centre of Urban Planning for Capacity Building (CUPCB) at SPA Bhopal.
Officials from the Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board, Archaeological Survey of India, and the Town and Country Planning Department, along with representatives from Aarushi NGO, actively participated in the programme. The event also saw the presence of architects, urban planners, faculty members, PhD scholars, and students, creating a multidisciplinary learning environment that encouraged informed dialogue on accessible urban mobility.
The Executive Development Programme aims to provide a common platform for urban practitioners, policymakers, and members of the differently abled community to collectively explore how geospatial tools and data-driven approaches can support the planning and assessment of universally accessible infrastructure.
During the course of the programme, participants will engage in technical sessions, learnings from accessibility audits, site visits, simulation exercises using accessibility devices, and interactive discussions. These activities are focused on integrating inclusive design principles into public spaces and urban transport networks, with specific reference to the city of Bhopal.
The programme reflects the growing emphasis on evidence-based planning and the role of GIS technologies in enabling inclusive, people-centric urban development across Indian cities.
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