Tanjil Sowgat
Professor

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My PhD and MSc from the UK and 20 years of teaching experience help me to engage creatively in my classes. Although I am particularly an expert in planning and development in the Global Southern context, my job and study experience in the UK enabled me to teach advanced planning courses internationally. Between 2003 and 2017, I led courses on GIS, SPSS and Statistics, but currently, I am responsible for leading courses on Urban Planning (international context), Development Planning (Southern context), Urban Affairs, and Urban Design. 

With 25 years’ experience in equity planning, urbanization and climate change, I have coordinated and implemented more than 22 individual studies and research, including 3 feasibility studies for government authorities. Regularly using qualitative and quantitative methods in the studies has enabled me to handle large scale mixed-method studies.  While I have developed outstanding personnel management through conducting short-time assignments, through short-term assignments, I have cultivated exceptional personnel management skills. Additionally, my collaborative endeavors span nine different countries, development organizations and government bodies providing me with valuable insights into multi-stakeholder projects.



PhD in Urban Studies, Heriot-Watt University, UK

Msc in Spatial Planning, Oxford Brookes University, UK

Bachelor in Urban and Rural Planning, Khulna University, Bangladesh





    • Spatial planning and design
    • Climate vulnerability and poverty
    • Sustainable urbanisation
    • Creative engagement methods
    • Project evaluation

    Current Research Project/Collaboration

    SL Title Research Role Awarded Date Completion Date Funding Agency
    1 Centre for Sutainable Healthy and Learning cities (Incountry Co-Invetigator) Co-Principal Investigator October 10, 2017 December 2023 International
    2 Lockdown Pains & Mass Exodus: Rental Housing in Megacities of the Indian Co-Principal Investigator September 1, 2020 July 31, 2021 International
    3 Equity Impacts of Housing and Urban Amenities for Sustainable Development in South Asian Cities (CO-I) Co-Principal Investigator July 1, 2019 October, 1 2021 International
    4 Knowledge transfer and public engagement in shrimp farming: building scientific and technical capacity to reduce poverty (Principle investigator) Principal Investigator September, 2017 September, 2018 International
    5 A study of national-local integration of development planning in Bangladesh (PI) Principal Investigator January 7, 2019 May 15, 2019 National
    6 Land and Climate Justice at the Center of the Rohingya Crisis in Myanmar Co-Principal Investigator November 2022 January 2024 International
    7 Endline Evaluation of Urban Resilience Project Principal Investigator May 2024 August 2024 National
    8 A study on ‘Universal accessibility and inclusive transport for person with disability’ Principal Investigator December 2023 January 2024 National
    9 Transforming Youth Skills for the Future: Trend Analysis & Feasibility Study Principal Investigator April 2023 November 2023 National
    10 Feasibility study for infrastructure development of KCC Principal Investigator October 2021 October2022 National
    11 A study of national-local integration of development planning in Bangladesh Principal Investigator October 2018 April 2019 National
    12 Mid Term Review report of the ‘She Can’ project Principal Investigator July 2016 September 2016 National
    13 Developing Septic Tank Inspection Modalities for Enforcement of National Standards in Urban Centres Principal Investigator June 2016 December 2016 National
    14 Preparation of Business Plan for FSM as a Part of the project ‘Public Private Partnerships for Sustainable Sludge Management Services in Faridpur’, Bangladesh Principal Investigator June 2015 September 2015 National
    15 Preparation of baseline report as a part of the project for ‘She can’ Principal Investigator April 2015 July 2015 National
    16 Preparation of baseline report as a part of the project for ‘Promoting community initiatives for establishing justice for children’ Principal Investigator March 2015 May 2015 National
    17 Preparation of final evaluation report for the project of ‘Coastal Livelihood Improvement through Maximizing Adaptation towards Environment (Climate)’ Principal Investigator January 2015 April 2015 National
    18 Public-Private Partnerships for Sustainable Sludge Management Services in Faridpur, Bangladesh. Principal Investigator November 2014 January 2014 National
    19 Study on 'Justice for Children' Principal Investigator June 2014 November 2014 National
    20 Endline Evaluation of Strengthening Resilience & Reducing Vulnerabilities of Disaster Vulnerable Coastal Communities in Bangladesh Principal Investigator September 2014 October 2014 National
    21 Endline Evaluation of the Project: 'Improvement of Primary Health Care, Environmental Health and livelihood opportunities for Women and Marginalized Community in Chanpara Slum' Principal Investigator May 2014 July 2014 National
    22 Preparation of Strategic Framework for People’s Network on Disaster Risk and Climate Change Principal Investigator January 2014 May 2014 National
    23 Endline Study on: Improvement of the socio-economic conditions of the Acid Survivors Principal Investigator November 2013 January 2013 National
    24 Disaster Risk Reduction: The Capacity Building Needs of the Women living in the Southern Bangladesh Principal Investigator August 2013 November 2013 National
    25 Concept Plan for Regeneration of KDA New Market Shopping Site Principal Investigator January 2013 June 2013 National
    26 ‘Developing an Effective Community Based All Hazards Early Warning Dissemination UNDP System (EWDS) Co-Principal Investigator February 2007 August 2007 National
    27 ‘Impact of Structural Adjustment on the livelihood of the poor people: the case of Khulna, Bangladesh. Principal Investigator October 2006 November 2006 National
    28 Water resources in Koyra district, Satkhira, Bangladesh Principal Investigator September 2006 November 2006 National
    29 Scoping Study on Landscape Restoration through Locally Led Approaches in Coastal Bangladesh Principal Investigator September 2025 November 2025 National
    30 Understanding the relationship between neighbourhood environments and children's health and well-being: A Bangladesh-UK knowledge sharing network for developing effective practice in the Global South Principal Investigator March 2025 March 2026 International
    31 Access to Services for Climate Migrant Children and Their Families in Khulna City Principal Investigator August 2025 October 2025 National


    Professor

    Employer: Urban and Rural Planning Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna, 9208;

    Duration: October 2018 to Current (http://ku.ac.bd/faculty/tanjil-sowgat/)

     

    Post-Doctoral Research Officer

    Employer: Swansea University, UK

    Project: Poverty alleviation through prevention and future control of the two major socioeconomically-important diseases in Asian aquaculture

    Duration: 9 October, 2016 to 10 October 2018

     

    Associate Professor

    Employer: Urban and Rural Planning Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna, 9208;

    Duration: 9 August 2013 to 8 September 2016

     

    Assistant Professor

    Employer: Urban and Rural Planning Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna, 9208;

    Duration: 9 August 2007 to 9 August 2013

     

    Lecturer

    Employer: Urban and Rural Planning Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna, 9208,

    Duration: 15 December 2003 to 9 August 2007



      


    Khulna University, Innovation Showcasing Award, 2024 (jointly with Dr Shilpi Roy)


    Swansea University Research and Innovation Award, 2018, for outstanding contribution to Arts, Culture and Society, (jointly with Dr Sergei Shubin)

     

    Swansea University Research as Art Award, 2018

     


    Supervision

    SL Title Degree Role Start Date End Date
    1 Implementation challenges of the planning proposals in Khulna City: The case of Commercial Land Use Proposals for Railway Land site Bachelor Supervisor January 2015 November 2015
    2 Reduction of Urban Water Bodies and Its Impacts on Urban Neighborhoods of Khulna Masters Supervisor October 2021 March 2023
    3 Social Disparity at the Edge of the Planned Neighborhood Supervisor January 2022 January 2023
    4 Urban Neighborhoods: concept and understanding in Khulna city context Supervisor January 2022 January 2023
    5 Socio-Spatial Division In Dhaka City Masters Supervisor January 2019 October 2021
    6 Water supply in the Urban slums of Bangladesh, The case of Khulna City Masters Supervisor Date Unknown Date Unknown
    7 Lifelong learning and its contribution on employability in the slums of Khulna city. Bangladesh role of urban institutions( A study of slums settlements in Khulna city Masters Supervisor August 2020 November 2021
    8 Rethinking Neighborhood Sustainability in a post COVID-19 World Bachelor Supervisor 2020 2021
    9 Multiplicity In a spatiality segregated low income Settlement. Bachelor Supervisor 2020 2021
    10 Responsiveness of Movement Framework in the peri urban neighborhoods of Khulna City. Bachelor Supervisor February 2019 February 2020
    11 Causes and Pattern of Urban Sprawl in Khulna City Bachelor Supervisor February 2019 February 2020
    12 Walkability of Khulna CBD : A study on upper Jessore road Bachelor Supervisor January 2016 November 2016
    13 Enhancing the legibility of Old Dhaka: Challenges of Going by the Book Bachelor Supervisor January 2016 November 2016
    14 Heat Stress and water logging adaptive urban design intervention for planned residential areas of Khulna city, A case study of Sonadanga Bachelor Supervisor January 2015 November 2015
    15 Integrating Physical Planning in Street Crime Prevention in Khulna City Bachelor Supervisor January 2006 November 2006
    16 Subdivision Practice in Khulna city and its attachment to the new urbanism concept: The case of Nirala R/A Bachelor Supervisor Jan 2015 November 2015
    17 Challenges for sustainable regeneration of the shopping areas of Khulna the case of Khulna KDA new market Bachelor Supervisor January 2014 November 2014
    18 Non-Income dimensions of poverty in the slum of Khulna city Bachelor Supervisor January 2014 November 2014
    19 Regeneration guidelines for the neighbourhood located in residential areas of Khulna city, Bangladesh Bachelor Supervisor January 2014 November 2014
    20 Spatial Dimensions of food insecurity in the urban slums: new direction for spatial planning in Bangladesh Bachelor Supervisor January 2014 November 2014
    21 Reconcialiation issues around development induce displacement in Bangladesh, a study of people affected Bachelor Supervisor January 2013 November 2013
    22 Employbility of the economically disadvantages climate migrants current issues in Khulna city Bachelor Supervisor January 2013 November 2013
    23 Efficiency of NGO provided services in the slums, The case of Rupsha slum in Khulna. Bachelor Supervisor January 2013 November 2013
    24 Participation of urban poor in planning process: A case study of Greenland slum, Khulna Bachelor Supervisor January 2013 November 2013
    25 An Analysis of the Factors Those Hinder Supply of Water and Provision of Decent Sanitation in Urban Slums Bachelor Supervisor January 2006 November 2006
    26 Study on Rupsha Bridge Area as a Recreational Site. Bachelor Supervisor January 2006 November 2006
    27 Formation of Informal Business Sector Due to Infrastructure Development & its Impact on the Entreprenures-A Study on the Surrounding of Rupsha Bridge.. Bachelor Supervisor January 2006 November 2006
    28 Functional Relationship Between Circulation and Land Use in the CBD of Khulna City January 2004 November 2004

    No Data Available

    coming soon...

    JOURNALS


    Sohail Ahmad, Faisal Munir, Ram Avtar, Tanjil Sowgat, Debolina Kundu, Ya Ping Wang (2025) Housing adequacy in Delhi, Dhaka and Karachi: Strategies for promoting sustainable and inclusive Housing, Cities, 160, p.105779


    Shilpi Roy & Tanjil Sowgat (2024) The neighbourhood effect on mental well-being in the Global South, Cities & Health, DOI: 10.1080/23748834.2024.2303565


    Sowgat, T., & Roy, S. (2024). Neighbourhood segregation in Dhaka. Journal of Urban Affairs, 1 21. https://doi.org/10.1080/07352166.2022.2119861


    Sergei Shubin, Will Andrews & Tanjil Sowgat (2023) Rhizomatic poverty in aquaculture communities of rural India & Bangladesh, Social & Cultural Geography, 24:8, 1285-1304, DOI: 10.1080/14649365.2022.2055776


    Sowgat, T., & Roy, S. (2022). Throwntogetherness in Dhaka: rethinking urban planning, City, DOI: 10.1080/13604813.2022.2057070


    Shubin S., Andrews, W.,  Sowgat T. (2022) Rhizomatic poverty in aquaculture communities of rural India & Bangladesh. Social and Cultural Geography, DOI:10.1080/14649365.2022.2055776


    Roy, S., Sowgat, T., Islam, S. T., & Anjum, N. (2021). Sustainability Challenges for Sprawling Dhaka. Environment and Urbanization ASIA, 12(1): S59-S84, DOI:10.1177/0975425321997995


    Shubin S. and Sowgat T (2019) Contested experiences and potential justice at the limit of the law for poor urban children in Bangladesh, Children's Geographies, June 22, DOI: 10.1080/14733285.2019.1630711

     

    Roy S, Sowgat T, Mondal J. (2019) City Profile: Dhaka, Bangladesh. Environment and Urbanization ASIA.  Sep; 10(2):216-32. DOI: 10.1177/0975425319859126

     

    Kundu B. K. and Sowgat T. (2016) Employability of the Climate Migrants in Rupsha Slum, Khulna City, Jahangirnagar University Planning Review, vol.-13, Issue 1 Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Bangladesh.


    Sowgat, T., Y. P. Wang and C. McWilliams (2016). “Pro-poorness of planning policies in Bangladesh: the case of Khulna city.” International Planning Studies ,vol-22, Issue 2, Taylor and Francis group, UK, DOI:10.1080/13563475.2016.1220287

     

    Sowgat T. (2014) Challenges for pro-poor urban planning in Bangladesh: A study of railway land redevelopment plan, Khulna. Jahangirnagar University Planning Review, vol.-12, Issue 1, Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Bangladesh.

     

    Sowgat T. and Roy S. (2013) Pro-poorness of the current urban polices in Bangladesh. Plan Plus, Vol.-7, No.-1, Bangladesh, Khulna (https://planplusjournal.com/index.php/planplus/article/view/84)

     

    Sowgat T. (2010) Book Review: Theories of Development: Contentions, Arguments, Alternatives by Richard Peet & Elaine Hartwick: The Guilford Press, Housing Studies, Volume 25, Issue 1, DOI: 10.1080/02673030903363900

     

    Roy S.and Sowgat T. (2006) Planning Response to adapt Climate Change in Khulna City, Bangladesh. Planning Review, Vol-2, No. – 2. Jahangir Nagar University, Bangladesh.

     

    Sowgat T. and Roy S. (2006) Planning challenges in Barcelona, Spain. Plan Plus, Vol.-1, No.-3, Bangladesh, Khulna (https://planplusjournal.com/index.php/planplus/article/view/105)

     

    BOOKS


    Ahmad, Sohail, Tanjil Sowgat, and Ya Ping Wang. "Income, Employment, and Housing Inequalities in Asian and African Cities." New Drivers of Division: Urbanization and Spatial Inequality in Africa and Asia. Singapore: Springer Nature Singapore, 2025. 223-238.re (https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-981-96-5629-5_14)


    Roy S., Sowgat T. and Ahmed S. (2022) Urban Issues of Dhaka: An  Artistic gaze, SHLC-BD, Bangladesh (http://www.centreforsustainablecities.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Urban-Issues-of-Dhaka_An-Artistic-Gaze.pdf)


    CONFERENCE 

     

    Sowgat, T (June 2021). Neighborhood Sustainability Auditing: Urban Big data challenges for Bangladesh. 1st International Forum on Big Data for Sustainable Development Golas, Beijing, China.

    Sowgat, T., Roy, S., Modal J. ( December 2019) Capturing SOciao-spatial division of Dhaka city using the city level data: scopes and challenges. The 4th Conference of Digital Belt and Road, Shenzhen, China

    Sowgat, T.  Roy, S, Islam, T.(December 2019) ‘Urban Sprawl in Khulna: Challenges for a city in disaster affected coastal belt in Bangladesh’, Seminar of Eurasian Scientists on Sustainable Development for Coast and Coastal Environment, Sanya, China, 

    Kabir S. and Sowgat T (2016) Heat Stress Adaptive Urban Design Intervention for Planned Residential Areas of Khulna City: Case Study of Sonadanga, 18th International Conference on Civil Engineering and Urban Transportation Problems, Canada (https://www.waset.org/abstracts?q=Sowgat&search=Search)


    Khisa N. and Sowgat T. (2014)Reconciliation Issues Around Development Induced Displacement in Bangladesh: a Study of People Affected Due to Kaptai Dam Construction, FIG Congress 2014: Engaging the Challenges – Enhancing the Relevance, Paper 6761 (http://www.fig.net/resources/proceedings/fig_proceedings/fig2014/papers/TS10D/TS10D_7419_abs.pdf)

     

    Kundu B. K. and Sowgat T. (2013) Influences of Individual Assets on the Employability of the Climate Migrants in Rupsha Slum, Khulna City, International Conference on Climate Change Impact & Adaptation (I3CIA-2013), DUET, Gazipur, Bangladesh

     

    Kundu B. K. and Sowgat T. (2013) Obstacles for the Employability of the Climate Migrants in Rupsha Slum of Khulna City, Annual Conference on Recent Research on Urbanization in Bangladesh, Centre for Urban Studies (CUS), Bangladesh

     

    Sowgat T. Wang Y.P. and McWilliams C. (2010) Ten years of poverty reduction agendas in Bangladesh and the delivery obstacles for local level urban spatial plans. International Conference on Ten years of poverty, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK (http://www.chronicpoverty.org/page/parallelse)

     

    Sowgat T. (2010) Assessing pro-poorness of the income and employment related urban spatial strategies in Khulna, Bangladesh. Post-Graduate Research Conference on “Productivity, Efficiency and Optimization-Heriot-Watt University working towards a brighter future” Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, UK

     

    Sowgat T. and Roy S. (2007) Pro-poor regeneration of railway markets, Khulna, Bangladesh. International Conference on Architecture for Economically Disadvantaged, BUET, Bangladesh

     

    Roy S., Sowgat T. and Rahman K.R. (2007) In search of anhttp://ku.ac.bd/wp-admin/post.php?post=6494&action=edit urban regeneration approach that benefits the poor International Conference on Architecture for Economically Disadvantaged, BUET, Bangladesh


    POPULAR ARTICLES


    Sowgat T (2025) Confronting Dhaka's Battery-run rickshaw dilemma The Daily Star, May 18 [https://www.thedailystar.net/opinion/views/news/confronting-dhakas-battery-run-rickshaw-dilemma-3896771]

    Sowgat T (2025) Urban Planning in Bangladesh: Can it shed its elitist past? , Openiion section, The Business Standard, Bangladesh, 23 April [https://www.tbsnews.net/thoughts/urban-planning-bangladesh-can-it-shed-its-elitist-past-1124061]

    Sowgat, T (2019) 'UMUGANDA IN RWANDA: A powerful idea that can inspire community driven development in Bangladesh', The Daily Star, March 6 [https://www.thedailystar.net/opinion/global-affairs/news/powerful-idea-can-inspire-community-driven-development-bangladesh-1710970]

    Shubin, S and Sowgat, T (2018) 'Revisting poverty reduction approach in Southern Bangladesh', The Daily Star, May 21[https://www.thedailystar.net/opinion/society/revisiting-poverty-reduction-approach-southern-bangladesh-1616221]

    Sowgat, T (2019), 'Bangladesh needs four pronged approach to ensure fires safety' The New Age, April 05 [http://www.newagebd.net/print/article/69243]


    INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH REPORTS

    Roy, S., Sowgat, T.,(2020).Dhaka: DIverse, dense and damaged neighbourhoods and the impacts of unplanned urbanisation. GCRF Centre for Sustainable, Healthy and Learning Cities and Neighborhood (SHLC). UK and Bangladesh (http://www.centreforsustainablecities.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/SHLC_Research_Summary_08_DHAKA.pdf)


    Sowgat, T, Roy.S. (2020). Khulna: the diversity and disparity of neighbourhoods from organic growth. GCRF Centre for Sustainable, Healthy and Learning Cities and Neighborhood (SHLC). UK and Bangladesh (http://www.centreforsustainablecities.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/SHLC_Research_Summary_09_KHULNA.pdf)

     

    Roy, S., Sowgat, T., Ahmed, M. U., Islam, S. T., Anjum, N., Mondal, J., & Rahman, M. M. (2018). Bangladesh: National urban policies and city profiles for Dhaka and Khulna. GCRF Centre for Sustainable, Healthy and Learning Cities and Neighborhood (SHLC). UK and Bangladesh (http://www.centreforsustainablecities.ac.uk/research/bangladesh-national-urban-policies-city-profiles-dhaka-khulna/)


    BLOGS

    Sowgat, T. and Roy, S. (2021).  The dual Crises: Covid 19 and climate change in Khulna City, URL:http://www.centreforsustainablecities.ac.uk/news/the-dual-crises-covid-19-and-climate-change-in-khulna-city/

    Sowgat,T (2021). Creattive Art Workshop: Appreciating 'Ugly-Beauty'  to support critical thinking and creativity in future urban research, URL:http://www.centreforsustainablecities.ac.uk/news/creative-art-workshop-appreciating-ugly-beauty-to-support-critical-thinking-and-creativity-in-future-urban-research/

    Sowgat, T. and Roy, S. (2021). Meeting the mayors of Dhaka and khulna: new hopes for pragmatic-research. URL:http://www.centreforsustainablecities.ac.uk/news/meeting-the-mayors-of-dhaka-and-khulna-new-hopes-for-pragmatic-research/


    Sowgat,T (2020). A new saint or a Frankenstein for Dhaka,  http://www.centreforsustainablecities.ac.uk/news/a-new-saint-frankenstein-for-dhaka/


    Islam, T, Sowgat, T, Shakil, I. (2019). Picturing Dhaka: Bustling Streets, famous street foods and rubbish playgrounds. http://www.centreforsustainablecities.ac.uk/news/picturing-dhaka-bustling-streets-street-food-rubbish-playgrounds/