Leading researcher recognised at landmark conference
29 September 2025
Dr Shibu Raman shared key research findings to help shape the future of Kerala’s cities.
Dr Shibu Raman, Director of International for the Welsh School of Architecture, was invited to be a distinguished speaker by the Kerala Government at its landmark strategic urban development conference.
The Kerala Urban Conclave 2025 brought together global thought leaders, policymakers and urban scholars to shape the future of Kerala’s cities.
I was delighted to be invited to share key findings and policy recommendations from my extensive research on liveable cities, with an emphasis on case studies of Kochi, Calicut, and Thrissur. These cities were the focus of my design studios between 2019 and 2025, enabling me to offer deep insights into urban form, resilience, and liveability in Kerala’s context.
Recognised for his impactful research, Dr Raman has been a Co-Opted Expert at the Kerala Urban Policy Commission (KUPC) - the organisation charged with shaping the future of sustainable urban development in Kerala – since 2023.
The KUPC focuses on ten pillars including infrastructure, climate resilience, inclusive growth, and smart governance, which formed the basis for the Conclave’s agenda.
Dr Raman said: “My work has contributed to two of the pillars: Spatial Planning and Urban Development as well as Habitat and Built Environment."
"During the conclave, I presented the Hon. M.B. Rajesh, Minister for Local Self Government, Government of Kerala, with the final reports each of the six years of the Liveable Urbanism studio."
"These reports have detailed analyses of three cities, examining the impact of urban form on quality of life as well as proposals and innovative strategies to enhance their liveability.”
Hosting scholars and policymakers from over 60 international cities, the Conclave also included discussions aimed at fostering global partnerships between academic institutions and government bodies.
An architect and urban designer trained in the UK and India, Dr Raman is the Founder-Director of the CityForm research network, which investigates the relationship of urban form to urban sustainability and quality of life.
The Conclave was organised by the Kerala’s Local Self Government Department (LSGD) and took place in September 2025.
Find out more about the Kerala Urban Conclave 2025.
