MAUS

MASTER OF ARTS (URBAN STUDIES)

Assignments
(July 2024/January 2025 Session)

School of Extension and Development Studies

Indira Gandhi National Open University
Maidan Garhi, New Delhi -110068
 Dear Learner,

You will have to do one assignment for each course. Each assignment carries 100 marks. Irrespective of
the year of registration you need to submit the latest assignments uploaded on the website.

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Read the detailed instructions about assignments given in the Programme Guide.

2. The top of the first page of your response sheet should look like this:
Enrolment No……………………. Name & Address ……………………………..
E-mail ……………………. Mobile Number …………………….
Course Code ……………………… Regional Centre (code) …………………….
Course Title ……………………… Study Centre (code) …………………….

3. Use A-4 size paper for your responses. Write the question number with each answer. Write on
both sides with margin and tie all the pages carefully, course wise.

4. You should write in your own handwriting.

5. Last date for submitting the assignments for July 2024 Session is 31st March,2025 and for January
2025 session is 30th September 2025.
However, you are advised to submit as soon as possible.
6. Submit the assignment responses to the Coordinator of the Study Centre and get acknowledgement..

1. Planning: Read the assignments carefully. Go through the self learning material on which they
are based. Make some points regarding each question and then rearrange them in a logical order.

2. Organization: Be a little more selective and analytical. Give attention to your introduction and
conclusion. The introduction must offer your brief interpretation of the question and how you
propose to develop it. The conclusion must summarize your response to the question

3. Make sure that your answer:

a) is logical and coherent;
b) has clear connections between sentences and paragraphs;
c) is written correctly giving adequate consideration to your expression, style and presentation.

4. Presentation: Once you are satisfied with your answers, you can write down the final version
for submission. Write each answer neatly and underline the points you wish to emphasize.

Please contact the following programme coordinators for any academic help / clarification

Prof . Nehal A. Farooquee, e-mail: [email protected]

Prof. B.K. Pattanaik, e-mail: [email protected]
Dr Grace Don Nemching, email:[email protected]
 MAUS Ist Year

ASSIGNMENT – 1
Introduction to Urban Development
Course Code: MEDS-041
Maximum Marks: 100

Answer all the questions. All questions carry 20 marks each.

1. Explain classical theories of urban development.
2. What is city region? Explain different types of city region.
3. Discuss various techniques of urban planning.
4. Discuss urban local bodies and municipal governance system in India.
5. Describe objectives, functions and significance of financial management.

ASSIGNMENT – 2
Issues and Challenges in Urban Planning and Development

Course Code: MEDS-042

Maximum Marks: 100

Answer all the questions. All questions carry 20 marks each.

1. What are different sources of urban energy? Explain sustainable urban energy planning.
2. Explain different challenges of urban law and order. ? Discuss urban revitalization measures to improve law and order.
3. Describe typology of urban informal settlement. Explain causes and formation of informal settlements.
4. Explain meaning and importance of urban heritage. What are challenges of urban heritage?
5. Define poverty. Discuss the causes and consequences of urban poverty.

ASSIGNMENT – 3
Dynamics of Urban Planning and Development
Course Code: MEDS-043
Maximum Marks: 100

Answer all the questions. All questions carry 20 marks each.

1. Discuss scope and significance of public administration. What are various challenges of public administration in urban
development?
2. Explain the rent control reform at various levels.
3. Explain various sources of municipal revenue and expenditure.
4. Discuss disaster management strategy in the mountain and riverine regions.
5. Describe the urban development policy perspectives of China and Brazil.
ASSIGNMENT – 4
Monitoring and Evaluation of Projects and Programmes
Course Code: MEDS-044
Maximum Marks: 100

Answer all the questions. All questions carry 20 marks each.

1. Distinguish between project and programme. Explain different project appraisal techniques?
2. Explain need, objectives and significance of project planning.
3. What are different types of rating scale? Explain guidelines for construction of rating scale.
4. Describe postulates of measurement. Discuss various levels of measurement.
5. Explain different types of statistical test for the interpretation of data.

ASSIGNMENT –5
Development: Issues and Challenges

Course Code: MEDSE-046

Maximum Marks: 100
1. What is political development? Explain different attributes of political development.
2. Explain vicious circle poverty. Discuss the causes and impact of poverty.
3. Population is a boon and bane of development? Explain the statement.
4. What is inclusive development? Describe the causes and measures of inclusive development.
5. Discuss the role of health in development. Describe various components of health care.
 MAUS 2nd Year

ASSIGNMENT -1
Ecology, Environment and Urban Development
Course Code:MEDS -047
Maximum Marks:100

Answer all the questions. All questions carry 20 marks each.

1. What do you understand by Ecosystem? Discuss the components of Ecosystem.

2. What are the types of Urban Forestry?Explain the contributions of Urban Forestry.
3. What is Climate Change? Explain how Climate Change affects Human Life.
4. What is the need and importance of Sanitation? Explain the measures to improve Sanitation?
5. Explain the impact of population on Environment?Discuss Population Control Measures?

ASSIGNMENT- 2
Sustainable Development and Smart Cities

Course Code:MEDS-048
Maximum Marks:100

Answer all the questions. All questions carry 20 marks each.

1. What is globalization? Reasons for enhanced pace of globalization and its advantages and disadvantages

2. What are different urban livelihood concerns? Discuss the framework and strategies for sustainable
livelihoods.

3. Describe characteristic features of smart cities. Discuss smart city initiatives in Europe and India..

4. What is urban analytics? Discuss salient features of urban analytics.

5. Discuss in detail e-Governance in smart cities.

 ASSIGNMENT- 3
Dynamics Of Development in Urban Construct
Course Code: MEDS-049
Maximum Marks: 100
Answer all the questions. All questions carry 20 marks each.

Q1.What is the role of Financial and Non-Financial institutions in development?

Q2 What is Social Change? Explain causes and any two perspective of change?

Q3 .What do you understand by Globilisation? Discuss the economic dimensions of

Globalisation?

Q4. What do you understand by Discrimination? Who are the Discriminated groups? Explain

Q5.What is Knowledge/ Information society? Explain Skill acquisition and training for workin knowledge
society?
 ASSIGNMENT -4

MHI-10: URBANISATION IN INDIA

Course Code: MHI-10
Assignment Code:MHI-10/AST/TMA/2024-25
Total Marks: 100
Note: Attempt any five questions. The assignment is divided into two Sections 'A' and
'B'. You have to attempt at least two questions from each section in about 500
words each. All questions carry equal marks.

SECTION-A

1.What are the markers of urban centres? Examine with reference to the historiography of
urbanism. 20

2.Discuss the main features of the city of Mohenjodaro. 20

3.Critically examine the characteristics of early historic urban centres in the Deccan. 20

4.Do you agree with the ‘theory of deurbanisation’ during post Gupta period in India?
Discuss. 20

5.Write short notes on any two of the following. Answer in about 250 words each.
10+10
i.City States
ii.Mohenjodaro: Public Architecture
iii.Mandu
Iv.Social change and urban growth during early medieval India

SECTION-B

6. Cities of Delhi Sultanate were primarily garrison towns. Critically examine. 20

7. How did the city layout and courtly culture of Vijayanagara reflect the dominance of
Imperial control? 20

8. Discuss the rise and decline of Surat. 20

9. How did the concept of urban planning change during the Colonial period? 20
10.Write short notes on any two of the following. Answer in about 250 words each.
10+10

i. Gardens in Mughal Cities

ii. The City as the Site of Spectacle
iii. Health and Sanitation in the divided city
iv. New Risks and Contemporary Urbanism
 ASSIGNMENT- 5

MPA-016:DECENTRALISATIONANDLOCALGOVERNANCE

Course Code: MPA-016

Assignment Code:MPA-016/Asst/TMA/July2024-January2025
Marks:100

This Assignment consists of Section-I and Section-II.There are five questions in each Section. You
have to answer a total of five questions in about 500 words each. It is necessary to attempt at least
two questions from each section. Each question carries 20 marks.

SECTION-I

1) Discuss the impact of decentralised development. 20

2) Explain the concept of empowerment and highlight the problems in achieving

empowerment. 20

3) Describe the politico-administrative components of decentralisation and suggest

necessary measures to strengthen them. 20

4) Examine the partnership among local authorities and special purpose agencies
in the health sector. 20

5) What are the different requirements for development planning?

20

SECTION-II

6) Discuss the evolution and significance of democratic decentralisation in India. 20

7) Explain the term institutional capacity-building and suggest ways for capacity-building
Of elected representatives. 20
8) “Owing to the 74th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992, municipalities are
functioning as effective institutions of local self-governance at the grassroots
level”.Examine. 20
9) Describe the structure,powers and functions of local government. 20
10) Write short notes on the following in 250 words each:

a) Modalities for people’s participation. 10

b)Sustainable development and governance. 10