Priyam Das

Priyam Das is an Associate Professor in the Department of Urban and Regional Planning at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, where she teaches courses including Introduction to Planning, Advanced Planning Theory, and Urban Environmental Problems. Her research critically examines water governance and infrastructure barriers in informal settlements across the global South, addressing systemic issues of inequality, poverty, and climate vulnerability through interdisciplinary approaches.

Her academic credentials include:

• Ph.D. in Urban Planning, University of California, Los Angeles
• M.L.A. in Landscape Architecture, The Pennsylvania State University
• B.Arch. in Architecture, School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi, India

Dr. Das's scholarship centers on the intersection of urban form, service delivery, and climate adaptation, with particular emphasis on community-driven solutions in informal settlements. Her work challenges conventional planning paradigms by highlighting how governance structures and power dynamics perpetuate disenfranchisement, while exploring pathways for equitable access to water, sanitation, and resilient infrastructure. This research directly informs her innovative planning pedagogy that integrates community engagement with classroom instruction.

Analysis of her publication record reveals consistent thematic focus on urban resilience in the face of climate change, particularly through the lens of sanitation governance in Indian informal settlements and participatory planning in Hawaii. Her work demonstrates evolving methodological sophistication from case studies of water governance to collaborative action research addressing extreme weather adaptation.

Her distinguished contributions have been recognized through:

• UHM Chancellor’s Award for Meritorious Teaching (2014, 2018)
• ACSA and Columbia University’s Temple Hoyne Buell Center Course Development Prize (2021)
• ACSA Collaborative Practice Award for Waipahu TOD project (2020)

Dr. Das has secured significant external funding for community-focused initiatives including:

• Mālama ʻĀina Biocultural Resource Management Plan (Castle Foundation)
• When Hazards Collide: Everyday Adaptations to Extreme Events (Social Science Research Council)
• Waipahu Transit Oriented Development Collaboration (State of Hawaii Office of Planning)
• Lānaʻi Long Term Kupuna Care Facility projects (Hale Makua Health Services)
• Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor Vision Plan (Hawaii DLNR)

These projects exemplify her commitment to transdisciplinary collaboration, frequently partnering with state agencies, community organizations, and student teams to develop practical planning solutions for Hawaii's unique biocultural landscapes and vulnerable populations.