(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.
✅
