Dr. Sneha Mandhan

Biography

Sneha Mandhan is an Assistant Professor in the School of Urban and Regional Planning at Toronto Metropolitan University. Her scholarship focuses on a series of global case studies, addressing biases that exist within colonial forms of planning and urban design, while emphasizing land- and place-based practices that are integral to the everyday culture of local communities. Her research investigates how culture impacts perceptions of and uses for urban spaces among diverse populations, and the role of planning practitioners in creating culturally safe and inclusive environments. Dr. Mandhan's current work explores cultural heritage planning tools in Canada aimed at contributing to equitable and socially inclusive cities for racialized immigrant communities. Methodologically, her research is primarily qualitative and cartographic, incorporating methods such as spatial systems mapping, public life studies, and participatory mapping. With a PhD in Planning from the University of Toronto and prior teaching experiences at MIT and the University of Toronto, she actively employs decolonial pedagogy and service-learning in her teaching. Dr. Mandhan has years of professional experience in urban landscape planning, urban design, and community engagement across Canada, the United States, India, and the United Arab Emirates.

Research Interests

Experience