By Appointment
2012, PhD, University of Cincinnati, Ohio
2004, Post Graduate Diploma in Land Management, Erasmus University, The Netherlands
1997, Master in Planning, CEPT University, India
1995, Bachelor in Architecture, MS University, India
Dr. Byahut’s research interests include development regulation, urban land management, sustainability and resiliency planning, and smart cities approaches. Her research on urban land management and development regulation in Indian cities generates considerable discussion in the media and is influencing national urban policy, being cited in the Reforms in Urban Planning Capacity in India by the National Planning Commission. Her current research examines climate action plans in the cities of the US and India. Her research on smart city approaches in Atlanta and Pittsburgh are listed under US EPA’s Health and Environmental Research Online (HERO) database of scientific studies and references. Dr. Byahut brings over a decade of professional planning practice experience, having worked in the consultancy and applied research in the areas of planning legislation, development regulation, comprehensive planning, post-earthquake reconstruction, and inner-city revitalization in India. Early in her career, she received a Small Projects Facility grant for applied research and capacity building from the European Union, the ProVention Applied Research Grant for Young Professionals, and fellowships from the United Nations Environment Program and the Royal Netherlands Embassy.
Dr. Byahut believes in connecting practice with academia, coordinating over 10 real-life community engaged projects benefiting local Alabama communities and enhancing student learning. These include class projects in collaboration with the cities of Dothan, Phenix City, Prattville, Auburn, Montgomery, Athens, and the Johnny Ray Rails-to-Trails project. Dr. Byahut served as the Director of the Master of Community Planning program from 2020-2023, during which time the program achieved 7-year accreditation with the Planning Accreditation Board (PAB), adopted a new Strategic Plan, achieved STEM designation, and advanced in national rankings. She also designed and launched the online MCP Newsletter and created a new website for the Alabama City Year Program showcasing student projects.
The American Planning Association (Alabama Chapter) honored Dr. Byahut with the 2023 Kenneth J. Groves Jr. Distinguished Leadership Award for a Practicing Planner for her significant and sustained contributions to the planning profession. She has also received the Auburn University 2016 Spirit of Sustainability Faculty Award. Dr. Byahut serves on the Governing Board of the Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning as its SE Regional Representative, as well as on the ACSP Global Planning Education Committee. She has earlier served on the ACSP Committee for Pursuing STEM Designation (2023) and as the Secretary/Treasurer of the ACSP Faculty Women’s Interest Group (2019-2021).
Peer Reviewed Journal Articles & Book Chapters
Research Reports
Other Publications
Book Reviews
Professional Publications