Shweta Udaysingh Rajput
Master of City and Regional Planning, Class of 2026
Areas of Interest: Transportation, GIS
Hometown: Alibag-Raigad, Maharashtra, India
Activities at Rutgers: Social Justice Chair, Bloustein Graduate Student Association; GIS Research Assistant, Environmental Analysis and Communications Group, Center for Urban Policy Research; Student Grading Assistant
Shweta Udaysingh Rajput was always interested in how cities work and how people move around. Growing up in Mumbai, she saw the importance of transportation in people’s daily lives, especially for those who don’t have cars.
A defining moment came during a 2019 competition for Mumbai’s Metro Line 3. “I was part of a team that advanced to the detailed level stage, where we conducted comprehensive data analysis around Mumbai Central Railway Station and identified critical transportation issues in the station area,” she said. “This experience sparked my interest in how proper transportation planning could transform urban mobility in a dense city like Mumbai.”
Shweta’s interest in how people navigate cities was further shaped by the daily rhythms of life in and around Mumbai University, where she completed an undergraduate architecture program. “My final thesis project focused on ferry terminal hub design and waterfront development, which fueled my interest in transportation infrastructure,” she said. “The project addressed real transportation challenges faced by my neighborhood community.”
After graduating and working in architecture for three years, she realized she wanted to do more. “I wanted to go beyond buildings and help shape better cities.”
“What I enjoy most about the field of urban planning is that it combines design, data, and the ability to make a difference for communities, helping create fairer and more accessible cities. That’s the kind of work I want to do.”
Encouraged by a former undergraduate classmate, Nihar Mhatre, who graduated from the Bloustein School’s MCRP program in 2022, Shweta applied to Rutgers. “His positive experiences convinced me to apply,” she said. “The Bloustein School’s wide variety of electives allows students to shape their concentration based on their interests and career goals. The flexible curriculum lets me combine my interests in transportation planning, environmental issues, and GIS.”
At Bloustein, Shweta has found the support and opportunities she hoped for. Among her biggest academic influences is Professor Kelcie Ralph, whose classes in transportation and bicycle/pedestrian planning left a lasting impact. “Through her classes, I learned about effective approaches to transportation planning and how they connect theory with real-world conditions.”
Those classes also pushed her out of her comfort zone, strengthening both her academic and professional confidence. Shweta noted, “The structure of her classes helped me build both technical and communication skills, something I had aimed to improve. I have grown much more confident sharing my opinions.”
Outside the classroom, Shweta serves as the Social Justice Chair for the Bloustein Graduate Student Association and works as a GIS research assistant in the Environmental Analysis and Communications Group.
“After building GIS skills in two of my courses, the internship allows me to apply those skills to real-world projects,” she explained. “It has been a valuable experience to connect what I learned in class to actual research work, helping me strengthen both my technical and analytical abilities.”
After graduation, Shweta wants to pursue a career in transportation planning, enhancing mobility solutions in dense urban environments. “My goal is to apply the transportation planning and GIS expertise I’ve developed at Bloustein to design more inclusive, efficient, and sustainable transportation networks that improve quality of life in our communities.”
For prospective students considering the Bloustein School, her advice is clear: “Explore different electives and be open to new areas. Bloustein gives you a lot of flexibility to shape your concentration based on your interests. And don’t hesitate to reach out to professors and classmates. Everyone here is very supportive, and you learn just as much from conversations outside of class as you do inside.”
“Lastly, be patient. Trust the process and give yourself time to adjust and grow!”
When she’s not immersed in classes or research, Shweta enjoys taking time to unwind and connect with others. “I’m someone who is usually in one of two modes—working a lot and focused or doing absolutely nothing,” she said. “In my free time, I like to relax, explore, or attend Rutgers events like mirror painting, pet therapy, pottery workshops, beading, Friendship Fridays, and food events. I enjoy trying different activities because they help me take a break from academics, meet new people, and recharge creatively.”