ICSSR awards ₹1.2 crore research grant to Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham for Coastal Resilience Study

Coimbatore (Tamil Nadu) [India], July 22 (ANI): Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham has been awarded a research grant of ₹1.2 crore by the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR), Ministry of Education, to support a comprehensive study on post-disaster housing and livelihood recovery in India's coastal regions.
Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, established in 2003, is a multi-campus, multidisciplinary research university in India. Recognised as an Institution of Eminence by the Government of India, it ranks among the country's top private universities.
The project, titled "Resilience in Transition: A Longitudinal Study on Post-Tsunami Housing Reconstruction and Livelihood Revitalisation in India's Vulnerable Coasts," will examine long-term outcomes of tsunami rehabilitation efforts. The research will evaluate donor-driven vs. owner-driven reconstruction models, focusing on quality of life, thermal comfort in housing, and the use of local materials for climate-resilient infrastructure.
The initiative is led by Dr. Pratheek Sudhakaran (Amrita School of Architecture) and Dr. Sudha Arlikatti (Amrita School of Sustainable Futures). The study involves community engagement and field-based assessments to inform evidence-based policy recommendations for state and national decision-makers.
This is a multi-institutional collaboration, bringing together scholars from Pondicherry University, NIT Calicut, SPA Vijayawada, Madras School of Economics, Rabdan Academy (UAE), and Keio University (Japan). Their combined expertise spans architecture, sustainability, public policy, and economics, contributing to a holistic understanding of coastal resilience and post-disaster recovery.
Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham is known for its emphasis on values-based education, cutting-edge research, and global collaborations. With campuses in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Haryana, Amrita University offers undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs across various disciplines.
The Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR) is the apex body of the Government of India for research in the social and human sciences. Founded in 1969, ICSSR operates under the aegis of the Ministry of Education, Government of India.
In recent years, Amrita University has made remarkable strides on the global stage. It ranked first among Indian universities in the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings 2024, excelling in key areas such as SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), where it ranked eighth globally, and SDG 5 (Gender Equality), ranking 15th. The university has also been inducted into Stanford University's prestigious SPARK Global Program, underscoring its leadership in innovation and research. (ANI)