Welcome to the Student Spotlight series! In these interviews, we will showcase the students representing each of the four Master tracks, part of the MSc in Urban Management and Development. We introduce you to Sagar Jayaramulu from India, a participant in the Urban Housing & Land Justice Master track.
Passion for sustainable housing
Sagar's passion lies in the field of sustainable housing. He obtained his bachelor's degree in architecture from UVCE, Bangalore University, and actively pursued projects related to sustainable housing to fuel his interest. His experience at the Laurie Baker Centre for Habitat Studies in Kerala included working as a consultant in the non-profit sector and volunteering with grassroots-level NGOs that focused on providing shelter and settlements for vulnerable communities in informal settings. While at Jana Urban Space, he also served as a consultant for a collaborative project with the Terwilliger Center for Innovation in Shelter (TCIS) and Habitat for Humanity India. Thanks to a scholarship from the government of Karnataka, Sagar made his way to IHS.
Land and housing dynamics
Through his exploration of socio-political, economic, and environmental perspectives, he has gained valuable insights into the complexities surrounding housing (in)justice and access to land. Through his studies, he explored the 5As of housing adequacy – Availability, Accessibility, Affordability, Acceptability, and Adaptability –that are essential in addressing injustices within the land and housing nexus.
“Studying at IHS has enriched my understanding of the intricate dynamics between land and housing.”
Sagar also highlights peer-to-peer learning that occurs both in the classroom and outside of it. Having guest lecturers from experts who were actively engaged in the field, who shared their practical experiences provided valuable insights to the students.
“The unique blend of the multidisciplinary approach to the housing and land nexus is the core of this specialization.”
The most interesting course
During the core period, Sagar discovered a strong interest in Urban Data Analytics. Through coursework and workshops, he mastered his skills in data analysis, hypothesis testing, and making recommendations using statistical tools. This new-found expertise also enabled him to interpret data effectively and grasp its policy implications. He believes that this course significantly enhanced his ability to make well-informed decisions.
Advice for future students
Sagar advises future students to research the specialization they are interested in, explore the informative blogs on the website, talk to the alumni, and utilize the Unibuddy platform to address all their questions.
"Finally, when you are at a crossroads, take a leap of faith, trust the process, and you will find it rewarding in the end."
