Sweta Byahut

Sweta Byahut serves as Associate Professor in the Department of Political Science within Auburn University's College of Liberal Arts. She directs significant community planning initiatives and holds leadership positions including serving on the Governing Board of the Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning (ACSP) as its Southeast Regional Representative.

Her educational background includes:

• PhD (2012) from University of Cincinnati, Ohio
• Post Graduate Diploma in Land Management (2004) from Erasmus University, The Netherlands
• Master in Planning (1997) from CEPT University, India
• Bachelor in Architecture (1995) from MS University, India

Dr. Byahut's research focuses on urban land management, development regulation, and sustainability planning, with particular emphasis on Indian cities and American communities. Her work bridges academic research with practical application, influencing national urban policy in India while addressing contemporary planning challenges in Alabama and across the United States. She brings over a decade of professional planning practice to her academic work, with extensive experience in post-earthquake reconstruction, inner-city revitalization, and comprehensive planning.

Her publication record demonstrates consistent scholarly output with recent work examining climate action plans, green infrastructure implementation, and innovative approaches to affordable housing. Her research shows a clear trajectory toward increasingly complex multi-jurisdictional planning challenges, with growing emphasis on climate resilience and sustainable development frameworks applicable to both Global North and Global South contexts.

Dr. Byahut has received significant recognition for her contributions to the field:

• 2023 Kenneth J. Groves Jr. Distinguished Leadership Award for a Practicing Planner
• 2016 Auburn University Spirit of Sustainability Faculty Award
• ProVention Applied Research Grant for Young Professionals
• European Union Small Projects Facility grant
• Fellowships from United Nations Environment Program and Royal Netherlands Embassy

She actively connects academic work with community practice, coordinating over a dozen community-engaged projects benefiting Alabama communities including Phenix City, Prattville, Auburn, Montgomery, and the Johnny Ray Rails-to-Trails project. During her tenure as Director of the Master of Community Planning program (2020-2023), she secured 7-year accreditation with the Planning Accreditation Board, adopted a new Strategic Plan, and achieved STEM designation for the program. Her work with the CEPT Urban Planning and Design Foundation as a Senior Fellow (2025-26) continues her commitment to improving built environments in Indian cities through evidence-based policy research.