Public Open Spaces (POSs) on university campuses play a vital role in promoting student well-being, fostering social interaction, and enhancing academic engagement. Yet, in Indian technical institutions, these spaces are often underutilized due to poor design integration, lack of thermal comfort, and minimal user-centered planning. This study applies the Campus Open Space Index (COSI) to assess the functionality, inclusivity, and experiential quality of POSs at two premier Indian institutions, IIT Delhi and IIT Roorkee. COSI evaluates campus POSs across five dimensions: Physical Planning, Engagement, Need Perception & Behavior, Thermal Comfort, and Management. Through a mixed-methods approach involving surveys (n = 522), field observations, and spatial mapping, six open spaces from each campus were analyzed. The aspect-wise COSI results indicate that IIT Delhi performs better in Management (75.84%) and Thermal Comfort (60.56%), while IIT Roorkee performs better in Engagement (71.68%); both campuses show deficits in universal accessibility and climate responsiveness. The study reveals that POS effectiveness depends not only on spatial layout but also on user behavior, comfort, and perceived safety. COSI provides a replicable and scalable assessment model that supports data-driven decision-making for campus planners and administrators. This research advocates for participatory, student-centric planning approaches to transform campus POSs into more inclusive, responsive, and sustainable environments aligned with educational and social goals.

This study examines how the Historic Urban Landscape (HUL) approach, proposed by UNESCO, can support the integration of leftover heritage buildings while balancing conservation with sustainable urban development. Furthermore, it investigates how the HUL approach can contribute to Manama’s ongoing efforts toward UNESCO World Heritage inscription aligning with the Vision 2030. The research adopts an exploratory case study methodology, utilizing qualitative research techniques including document analysis and fieldwork. The data analysis follows the six-step process of HUL, which focuses on managing and safeguarding these leftover heritage buildings as part of urban heritage, while field observations provide direct evidence of physical deterioration and underutilization. The analysis reveals persistent fragmentation within the historic core of Manama, despite multiple conservation phases led by state authorities. Findings highlight that, while the heritage buildings were deprioritized during the post-modernization era, their integration through the HUL approach can act as a catalyst in sustainable urban development. By providing a framework, findings illustrate that such integration will enhance socio-economic vitality, contributing to Manama’s UNESCO inscription, after being on the tentative list for nearly a decade. The research findings are anticipated to inform Bahrain’s Development Strategy of the Vision 2030, which emphasizes continuous strategic planning to guide policy decisions, emphasizing sustainability-oriented planning that responds to national opportunities and constraints.

The UNESCO World Heritage designation is widely recognized as a global benchmark for cultural significance and heritage excellence. Contemporary UNESCO heritage management extends beyond the preser...

This study investigates peri-urban land management in Uttar Pradesh through a comparative analysis of Varanasi, Kanpur, and Prayagraj, focusing on the gap between planned frameworks and actual urban growth. As rapidly expanding Tier-II cities, they represent critical sites where formal planning intersects with complex peri-urban transformations. The study employs a mixed-method approach, combining GIS-based master plan conformance analysis using Effective Boundary Control (EBC) with semi-structured expert interviews. This integration enables both spatial measurement of urban expansion and interpretive understanding of underlying governance and institutional dynamics. The results reveal significant divergence between planned and observed development, particularly in peripheral areas, with clear variation across cities. Kanpur exhibits the highest level of non-conformance (EBC: 2.23), indicating weak boundary control and pronounced peri-urban sprawl. Varanasi also demonstrates substantial deviation (EBC: 2.06), reflecting persistent gaps between planning intent and implementation. In contrast, Prayagraj shows relatively stronger conformance (EBC: 1.04), though underlying challenges remain. These differences are shaped by local conditions, including land acquisition conflicts, fragmented governance structures, infrastructure deficits, and limited financial mechanisms. Importantly, the findings underscore that even where spatial conformity appears stronger, it does not necessarily translate into effective planning outcomes. The study concludes that peri-urban growth is not simply unplanned but is shaped by negotiated and context-specific processes. It highlights the need for adaptive, implementation-focused planning, stronger institutional capacity, and integrated financial strategies. By bridging spatial and qualitative analysis, the research provides a more comprehensive framework for understanding and managing peri-urban development in rapidly urbanizing regions.