Dr. Sweta Byahut is an Associate Professor of Community Planning at Auburn University. She earned a Ph.D. in Regional Development Planning from the University of Cincinnati in 2012 and also holds an M.S. in Planning from CEPT University, a B.S. in Architecture from M. S. University in India, and a Diploma in Land Management from the Institute of Housing and Urban Development Studies, The Netherlands. Her research interests include development regulation and urban land management in Indian cities, comprehensive planning, and smart cities. Her current research examines climate and resiliency planning in cities in the US and India. She has worked for a decade in areas of planning consultancy and applied research in Indian cities and has drafted building regulations for the cities of Delhi, Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, and Bhuj. She received the 2023 Kenneth J. Groves Jr. Distinguished Leadership Award for a Practicing Planner from the Alabama Chapter of the American Planning Association for her significant and sustained contributions to the planning profession. She also received the Auburn University Spirit of Sustainability faculty award in 2016. She currently serves on the Governing Board of the Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning (ACSP) and the ACSP Global Planning Education Committee and has previously served on the ACSP Ad-hoc Committee for pursuing STEM Designation for the field of planning and as the Secretary/Treasurer of the ACSP Faculty Women's Interest Group.