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Ajith Kaliyath

<p>Ajith Kaliyath</p>

Ajith Kaliyath

Qualifications

BA (Geography), University of Calicut, Kerala, India (1992-1995),
MSc (Applied Geography) Department of Geography, University of Madras, Chennai, India (1995-1997),
MTech (Urban & Regional Planning) School of Planning, CEPT University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India (1997-1999),
Diploma in Environmental Management and Sustainable Development, University of Wales, Bangor, UK (2006)

Postgraduate

Email: akaliyath02@qub.ac.uk

Address

Room 0G 034A, Elmwood Building
School of Geography, Archaeology and Palaeoecology (GAP)
Queen’s University Belfast
Belfast BT7 1NN
Northern Ireland, UK

Telephone

+44 (0)28 9097 3372

Current Research: Society, Space and Culture

Land as a Critical Ecological Resource for Sustainable Cities: A Case of Chennai, India

My study is on the historical development of Chennai and how land becomes a critical ecological resource for sustainable development. It aims at examining how far Chennai city is ecologically responsive with respect to land use and analyse the existing ecological conflicts in the city region with special reference to urban fringe area. The study is expected to produce a community based data base indicating the level of ecological stress in selected communities in the Chennai Metropolitan area and suggest ecologically sound land-use plans for them.

Publications:

Member of Technical teams in State/Central Pollution Control Board (India) that prepared Industrial Estate Plan for Bina, Zoning Atlas for Siting of Industries for Bhopal, Raisen and Dhar District in the state of Madhya Pradesh (India).

Member of the Technical team that prepared Environmental Management Plans for Indore city, Taj Trapezium Zone, Firozabad city. Also worked on Urban Environmental Information System for Agra city and Environmental Management Plans for Korba Coal Mining Area, Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve (Technical Government Reports)

Member of the team prepared the Proceedings of MUNICIPALIKA (5th International Conference on Sustainable Cities and Good Urban Governance, Mumbai (31 Jan to 2 Feb) 2008

Additional Information:

Awards/Merits:

  • University Second Rank, B.A in Geography, University of Calicut (1995)
  • British Chevening Scholarship for Young Indian Environmental Managers (2006)  
  • Sir Ratan Tata Travel Grant to UK (Sep 2006)
  • Overseas Research Scholarships (2008-2011), Queens University Belfast, UK
  • UKIERI-Prime Minister Initiative (PMI-2) Travel Grant to University of Hyderabad (Aug 2008)

Professional Association:

  • Associate, Institute of Town Planners, India (AITP)
  • Life Member, Indian Society of Geomatics, Ahmedabad
  • Student Member, Development Studies Association, UK
  • Member, Society for Location Analysis
  • Member, International Association for Urban Climate
  • Associate, Frenz Greenearth Technologies Pvt. Limited, Pune, India
  • Friend, Sustain Wales, Cardiff, UK

Institutions/Agencies worked with:

Madhya Pradesh State Pollution Control Board/Central Pollution Control Board (1999-2003) as Planner, Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India/German Technical Cooperation (2003-2007) as Indian/Programme Coordinator of Indo-German Environment Programme, Akruti Centre for Real Estate Studies, Mumbai as Associate Professor (May-October 2007), Good Governance India Foundation as Associate Coordinator, MUNICIAPALIA-2008, Mumbai (Nov 2007-Feb 2008)

Projects handled:

Eco-City project in 6 Indian cities, Eco-Campus Development of Manipal University, Cooperation between UNIDO and Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India for implementing Eco-Business Programme of Vienna in Indian Eco-Cities, Chanderi Eco-City by INTACH (initial planning), Cooperation between Brookhavan National Laboratory, Department of Energy, US and MoEF, India for integrating energy planning to Indian Eco-Cities (initial planning), Human Resources Development Programme jointly funded by GTZ and InWEnt (Germany) for training and capacity building for local authorities, industrial development authorities, training institutions in India.

Major Conferences and Forums:

A) Organised

  • Associate Coordinator of MUNICIPALIKA 2008 (5th International Conference and Exhibition on Sustainable Cities and Good Governance), 31 Jan to 2 February, 2008, Mumbai.
  • BRICS+G National Workshop and Consultations (July 2005) - Organised under the Indo-German Environment Programme of MoEF, Government of India.
  • World Environment Day-2005 (Organised adoption of Green Cities Declaration by All India Council of Mayors and releasing of a commemorative stamp on Green Cities by the Department of Posts, Government of India as an initiative of Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF). The Green City Declaration was originally signed on 5th June 2005 by 100 Mayors in San Francisco. Also a One day Conference on Green Cities was organised in Delhi on 4th June.

B) Attended:

  • Attended the International Business Meet of Chevening Alumni from India, China, Russia, Malaysia, Oman, Kuwait and Brazil during 2nd Nov to 4th November 2008  in Manchester, UK 
  • Attended and presented on the Indian Eco-Cities initiative representing Indo-German  Environment Programme in the First Euro-Indian Urban Forum, 2007, Goa, India
  •   Attended the Conference of Welsh Local Government Association, 2006

Hobbies:

Photography, movies and elementary level Philately….also a disciple of Sadguru Yoga Ashramam and member of The Cloud Appreciation Society