Prof. Shrutee Dhanorkar: Research Scholar at Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology (VNIT), Nagpur, India
Article Details
The study titled “Development of a Psychological Wellbeing Index based on environmental and social design features for public urban spaces of Indian City” focuses on how urban design influences mental health in public spaces of Nagpur. It uses a mixed-methods approach with 500 participants and examines greenery, lighting, and seating in relation to psychological outcomes measured through standard scales and qualitative feedback. The main output is a proposed Psychological Well-Being Index (PWI) that integrates environmental and perceptual factors into a single evaluation framework for urban spaces.
Novelty
The novelty of the study lies in converting qualitative urban design features into a structured psychological index. Instead of treating greenery, lighting, and seating as separate design considerations, the research integrates them into a combined mental health evaluation tool. It also introduces a gender-sensitive perspective, showing differentiated responses between men and women, which is often missing in conventional urban planning studies.
Originality
The work is original in its interdisciplinary integration of urban design, environmental psychology, and public health within a single analytical framework. The development of a composite Psychological Well-Being Index is not commonly seen in studies focused on Indian urban environments. Its emphasis on gendered perception of space adds an additional layer of conceptual originality.
Experimental Rigor
The study demonstrates moderate to strong methodological rigor. It uses a reasonably large sample size of 500 participants with balanced gender representation and applies validated psychological instruments such as the Perceived Stress Scale and PANAS. The inclusion of qualitative observations strengthens triangulation. However, its cross-sectional nature and restriction to a single city (Nagpur) limit generalizability, and potential confounding factors such as socioeconomic variation are not fully controlled.
Sustainability Impact
The research contributes meaningfully to urban sustainability by linking mental health outcomes with physical design elements of cities. It supports greener urban planning, improved lighting systems, and inclusive seating arrangements that enhance both environmental quality and social well-being. These factors align with broader sustainable development goals related to health, livable cities, and inclusive urban infrastructure.
Applicability
The proposed Psychological Well-Being Index has practical relevance for urban planners, architects, and policymakers. It can be used to assess and improve public spaces, guide infrastructure upgrades, and support gender-sensitive urban design decisions. While promising, its application beyond the studied context requires further validation across different cities, cultures, and urban densities.
Research Portfolio
Ar. Shrutee Dhanorkar Yeolekar is an Assistant Professor in Architecture with over a decade of teaching experience at Priyadarshini Institute of Architecture and Design Studies, Nagpur. She is currently pursuing a PhD at VNIT Nagpur in the area of thermal and visual comfort in urban streets and squares. Her academic and professional work spans architectural education, sustainable urban design, heritage studies, and pedagogy innovation, supported by extensive research publications and institutional leadership roles.
Online Profile
Education
She holds a Master of Architecture (M.Arch) in Architecture Education and a Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch), both from RTM Nagpur University. She is currently pursuing a PhD at Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology (VNIT), Nagpur. Her academic foundation also includes HSC and SSC qualifications from the Maharashtra State Board, with consistently strong academic performance.
Research Focus
Her research interests include architectural pedagogy, sustainable urban design, climate-responsive architecture, thermal and visual comfort in urban spaces, heritage conservation, and smart city planning. Her doctoral research specifically focuses on evaluating environmental comfort in urban streets and squares to improve urban design quality and livability.
Experience
She has over 10 years of full-time teaching experience as Assistant Professor at Priyadarshini Institute of Architecture and Design Studies, Nagpur. Her experience includes teaching, academic coordination, thesis guidance, institutional development, NAAC accreditation work, placement coordination, international collaborations, and multiple administrative leadership roles within the institute.
Research Timeline & Activities
Her research journey began with postgraduate-level academic work in architectural education, followed by continuous contributions through journal publications, international conference presentations, and book chapters. Since 2016, she has consistently published in indexed journals and contributed to conferences on sustainability, pedagogy, urban design, and smart cities. Currently, she is engaged in PhD research while actively participating in FDPs, STTPs, and interdisciplinary academic programs.
Awards & Honors
She has received multiple academic recognitions including Best Paper Award at a national conference organized by VNIT and IIIT Nagpur, University Topper in M.Arch, and a Certificate of Appreciation from INTACH Nagpur Chapter. She has also received awards for design excellence, including recognition for a national-level convention center design competition and a Government of India copyright for architectural design work.
Strength for the Female Researcher Award
Academic Leadership and Institutional Contribution
She demonstrates strong academic leadership through over a decade of teaching experience as an Assistant Professor at Priyadarshini Institute of Architecture and Design Studies, where she has contributed to curriculum delivery, thesis guidance, NAAC accreditation work, placement coordination, and institutional development. Her involvement in multiple administrative and academic roles reflects consistent leadership in architectural education.
Research Depth and Interdisciplinary Strength
Her research portfolio spans architectural pedagogy, sustainable urban design, heritage conservation, and climate-responsive architecture. Currently pursuing a PhD at Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology, she focuses on thermal and visual comfort in urban streets and squares, demonstrating strong integration of environmental science, urban design, and human comfort studies.
Innovation and Scholarly Impact
She has contributed to indexed journal publications, conference papers, and book chapters since 2016, with recognition including best paper awards and national-level competition achievements. Her development of applied frameworks such as the Psychological Well-Being Index reflects an ability to translate research into practical urban design tools with measurable social relevance.
Commitment to Sustainability and Urban Wellbeing
Her work consistently addresses sustainability through climate-responsive architecture, smart city planning, and livable urban environments. The emphasis on thermal comfort, visual comfort, and psychological well-being shows a holistic approach to sustainable urban development that integrates environmental, social, and human health dimensions.
Recognition, Excellence, and Professional Achievement
She has received multiple honors including University Topper in M.Arch, Best Paper Award at a national conference, design competition accolades, and a Government of India copyright for architectural design. These recognitions reflect consistent academic excellence, creativity, and professional contribution to architecture and urban studies.