(For B.Plan Dissertation Semester – Assignment-Based Structure)
The dissertation in the B.Plan programme integrates four major academic tasks—Literature Review, Policy Review, Best Practices, and Synopsis Preparation—into a consolidated, professionally structured research document. This guideline provides detailed chapter-wise expectations for preparing an 80–100 page dissertation report, covering all components from conceptual foundation to research design.
Your dissertation should be organized into eight chapters, aligned with academic expectations and planning research standards:
Introduction
Review of Literature
Review of Policies & Institutional Framework
Best Practices & Case Studies (Global & Indian)
Study Area Profile / Thematic Context
Research Methodology
Research Gaps Identified for Next Semester
Synopsis for Proposed Dissertation Work (Next Semester)
Annexures, maps, raw data, questionnaires, photographs and references are added at the end and do not count in the page limit.
INTRODUCTION (8–12 pages)**
This chapter sets the intellectual foundation of your dissertation.
Key Sections
Background of the topic
Need and significance of the study in the planning context
Problem statement clearly defining the issue
Aim of the study
Research objectives
Research questions / hypotheses
Scope and limitations (thematic, spatial, temporal, methodological)
Chapter organization (1–2 paragraphs explaining chapter flow)
REVIEW OF LITERATURE (20–25 pages)**
Developed from Assignment 1, this chapter demonstrates your understanding of existing research.
What to Include
Identification of relevant theories, models, and planning concepts
Review of at least 25–30 high-quality sources:
Journal articles (Scopus/UGC/Core)
Books, planning documents
Reports (UN-Habitat, World Bank, MoHUA, NITI Aayog, etc.)
Structure
Thematic / conceptual organization (NOT paper-by-paper summary)
Comparative tables (Author–Year–Location–Method–Findings–Relevance)
Synthesis of what is known, contradictory evidence, emerging directions
Summary: Key insights supporting your planned research
This chapter directly feeds into the research gap chapter.
REVIEW OF POLICIES & INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK (15–20 pages)**
Developed from Assignment 2, this chapter analyses governance and policy context.
Coverage
Global policies (SDGs, UN frameworks, WHO/UNEP guidelines)
National policies (Acts, missions, schemes, planning regulations)
State-level policies relevant to the dissertation
Local-level frameworks (Master Plans, Development Plans, Building Byelaws)
Analysis Tools
SWOT analysis
Gap analysis
Institutional mapping
Stakeholder mapping
Implementation mechanisms and challenges
Outcome
The policy review must highlight:
How policies support the dissertation theme
Where policy gaps exist
What needs further exploration next semester
BEST PRACTICES & CASE STUDIES (Global + Indian) (15–20 pages)**
Derived from Assignment 3, demonstrating learning from existing planning solutions.
Number of Cases
2–3 Global case studies
2–3 Indian case studies
For Each Case
Context and background
Project objectives
Stakeholders
Strategies / interventions / innovations
Tools used (GIS, zoning, TOD, green mobility, etc.)
Success indicators and outcomes
Challenges and limitations
Lessons learned and relevance for your study
Comparative Table
Add a cross-case comparison showing:
What has worked globally
What has succeeded in Indian context
What can be adapted to your dissertation work
STUDY AREA PROFILE / THEMATIC CONTEXT (8–12 pages)**
This chapter contextualizes your research either spatially (if area-specific) or thematically (if conceptual).
For area-based dissertations
Include:
Location and administrative details
Physical environment (topography, climate)
Demographic profile
Land use & zoning patterns
Infrastructure & mobility networks
Socio-economic indicators
Urban issues linked to the dissertation topic
Maps (base map, ward boundary, land use map)
For conceptual dissertations
Include:
Sectoral overview
National/International thematic trends
Key statistics and evidence
Current challenges and opportunities in India
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY (8–12 pages)**
Developed from Assignment 4 (Synopsis) but written in full detail.
Include:
Research design (qualitative/quantitative/mixed)
Conceptual framework (if applicable)
Data requirements
Data sources (primary, secondary)
Sampling method
Tools and instruments for data collection
Analytical methods (statistical, spatial, qualitative)
Software/tools (Excel, SPSS, R, ArcGIS, QGIS, etc.)
Limitations and ethical considerations
This chapter should demonstrate that your study is methodologically rigorous and feasible.
RESEARCH GAPS IDENTIFIED (6–8 pages)**(New chapter as requested)
This chapter bridges your first-semester work with your next-semester research.
Purpose
To clearly articulate what remains unanswered, based on:
Literature Review
Policy Review
Case Studies
Theoretical and empirical analysis gaps
Data gaps from existing research
Structure
7.1 Gaps from Literature
Gaps in theory
Gaps in variables or dimensions studied
Gaps in geographical focus
Gaps in methodology
Gaps in empirical evidence
Contradictions between different studies
7.2 Gaps from Policies
Non-alignment between policy goals and ground implementation
Outdated or unclear policy guidelines
Missing institutional mechanisms
Lack of monitoring frameworks
Policy blind spots related to your topic
7.3 Gaps from Best Practices / Case Studies
Missing Indian replications
Unexplored success factors
Lack of adaptation studies
Challenges in scalability
7.4 Summary of Identified Research Gap
A clear concluding section such as:
“Based on literature, policy frameworks and best practices, the key research gaps identified are: (1)… (2)… (3)… These gaps form the basis of the research direction to be undertaken in the next semester.”
This chapter is the justification for your proposed dissertation work.
SYNOPSIS FOR NEXT SEMESTER WORK (12–15 pages)**(This is your starting point for next semester)
This chapter presents your final dissertation proposal, refined through all earlier assignments.
Contents of the Synopsis
8.1 Title of Dissertation
Clear, concise, research-oriented.
8.2 Introduction
A brief justification of your chosen theme, grounded in literature and policy gaps.
8.3 Problem Statement
A sharply defined problem supported by evidence.
8.4 Aim of the Study
8.5 Objectives of the Study
Usually 3–5 measurable objectives.
8.6 Research Questions / Hypotheses
8.7 Conceptual Framework
(Optional but recommended)
8.8 Scope and Limitations
8.9 Proposed Study Area / Thematic Boundary
8.10 Proposed Methodology
Type of study
Primary and secondary data
Surveys, interviews, or mapping
GIS/stats tools to be used
Data analysis plan for each objective
8.11 Expected Outcomes
Academic contributions
Planning implications
Policy recommendations
Models or frameworks
8.12 Preliminary Chapterization for Next Semester
A draft structure for the final dissertation continuation.
8.13 References
Font: Times New Roman, 12 pt
Line spacing: 1.5
Text alignment: Justified
Margins: 1 inch on all sides
Figures, tables and maps must be numbered chapter-wise
Example: Table 2.3, Figure 4.1, Map 5.2
Follow a consistent referencing style (APA/Harvard/Department preference)
Avoid plagiarism; use original analysis and synthesis
At the end of the semester, your dissertation document (80–100 pages) will consist of:
Six academically grounded chapters (1–6)
Chapter 7 showing the research gaps
Chapter 8 presenting the final synopsis that becomes the foundation for next semester
This structure ensures that 70% of your dissertation is already completed, with the remaining work (data collection, analysis, recommendations) carried out next semester.
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