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 and urban land management in Indian cities, comprehensive and regional planning, and smart cities. Her current research examines climate and resiliency plans in the cities of the US and India. Dr. Byahut’s research generates discussions in local and national media, and is influencing national policy of the Government of India, being cited in the Reforms in Urban Planning Capacity in India by the National Planning Commission.
Dr. Byahut brings over a decade of professional planning practice experience in India, having worked in the consultancy and applied research in the areas of planning legislation, development regulation, comprehensive and regional planning, post-earthquake reconstruction, and inner-city revitalization. She has drafted amendments to the Delhi Municipal Corporation Act of 1957, and wrote development regulations for the cities of Delhi, Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, and Bhuj. 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 strongly 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 most recently, the Johnny Ray Rails-to-Trails project with the Lee County Council of Government.
Dr. Byahut received the 2023 Kenneth J. Groves Jr. Distinguished Leadership Award for a Practicing Planner by the Alabama Chapter of the American Planning Association, that honors one individual in the state for their significant/sustained contributions to the planning profession. She is also a recipient of the Auburn University 2016 Spirit of Sustainability Faculty Award and the 2019 CLA Award for Community and Civic Engagement. Dr. Byahut serves on the Governing Board of the Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning as its Southeast Regional Representative, as well as on the ACSP Global Planning Education Committee and the ACSP Ad-hoc Committee for Pursuing STEM Designation for the field of planning. She earlier served as the Secretary/Treasurer of the Faculty Women’s Interest Group of the ACSP (2019-2021).
Peer Reviewed Journal Articles & Book Chapters
Research Reports
Other Publications
Book Reviews
Professional Publications