Research Consultant at University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka
Nuwani Kangana is an innovative and committed early-career researcher specializing in Town and Country Planning, with a strong foundation in urban resilience, GIS, and participatory development. Her academic pursuit is driven by a passion for transforming cities through data-driven, inclusive planning and technological innovation. A top-ranking graduate and currently a master’s researcher at the University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka, she has actively contributed to various interdisciplinary projects that focus on smart and resilient urban environments. With practical expertise in geospatial technologies, disaster modeling, and crowdsourcing platforms, Nuwani aims to bridge the gap between research, community needs, and digital transformation in urban planning.
Profile
Scholar
Education
Nuwani’s educational background is marked by excellence and dedication. She earned her Honors Degree in Bachelor of Science in Town & Country Planning from the University of Moratuwa with a stellar GPA of 3.91/4.2, ranking second out of 44 students. Following her undergraduate success, she enrolled in the Master of Science (Research) program at the same institution in 2023. Her research focuses on enabling participatory risk-sensitive urban development through mobilized crowdsourcing platforms, combining her interest in citizen science and disaster resilience. She has also undergone certification in English, web design, and Java application development, enhancing her interdisciplinary approach and technical adaptability.
Experience
Throughout her academic journey, Nuwani has held multiple research-related roles that demonstrate her progressive involvement in impactful urban research. She currently serves as a Research Consultant at the University of Moratuwa, contributing to research strategy, grant facilitation, and interdisciplinary collaboration. From November 2023 to December 2024, she worked as a Research Assistant on the ENSEMBLE project, a multinational initiative aimed at enhancing community resilience. Her responsibilities included engaging local communities using photovoice methodology and coordinating with international researchers. Prior to this, she contributed to the TRANSCEND project funded by the UK’s GCRF, where she supported risk-sensitive urban development initiatives. Her earlier roles include Survey Coordinator for Colombo Settlements Survey 2023 and internships with John Keells Properties and the Urban Development Authority.
Research Interest
Nuwani’s research interests are multifaceted and rooted in contemporary urban challenges. She focuses on participatory planning, disaster education, urban data modeling, and geospatial technologies. With particular emphasis on the use of mobile applications, augmented reality, and crowdsourcing for civic engagement, her work strives to enhance urban resilience and disaster preparedness. Her academic inquiries aim to integrate community perspectives with advanced digital tools, enabling cities to become smarter and more inclusive. Topics like urban flood vulnerability, community engagement in placemaking, and gamified disaster education represent her core interests, revealing a strong alignment with global urban sustainability goals.
Awards
Nuwani’s academic and professional pursuits have been recognized through several prestigious opportunities. She was selected as the Sri Lankan delegate for the Jenesys SAARC 2024 program in Japan, themed “Environment,” which provided her a platform to share and enrich her research in a global setting. Additionally, she participated in the 2024 ProSPER.Net Young Researchers’ School, attending workshops on research communication, proposal development, and competing in the 3MT thesis competition. Her batch rank, multiple project selections, and international collaborations collectively underscore her capabilities and rising prominence in the academic landscape.
Publications
Nuwani has co-authored multiple peer-reviewed publications that reflect her active engagement in impactful research. Selected works include:
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Kangana et al. (2024), Smart Cities, on community engagement and smart city development – cited 11 times.
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Kangana et al. (2025), Urban Science, on mobile tech in disaster readiness – cited 7 times.
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Ekanayaka et al. (2025), Environment and Urbanization ASIA, on urban ventilation and heat mitigation – cited 9 times.
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Ranasinghe et al. (2025), Future Internet, on augmented reality in placemaking – cited 6 times.
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Kangana & Kankanamge (2025), Urban Resilience and Sustainability, on flood vulnerabilities – cited 5 times.
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Kangana et al. (2024), Asian Conference on Remote Sensing, on crowdsourcing in urban planning – cited 3 times.
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Kangana et al. (2024), Bolgoda Plains, on disaster education through gamified apps – cited 4 times.
Conclusion
Nuwani Kangana is a dynamic researcher whose academic rigor, interdisciplinary expertise, and community-centered approach position her as a deserving nominee for the Best Researcher Award. Her journey illustrates a rare blend of theoretical knowledge, technical acumen, and practical field experience. Whether through published work, international collaborations, or digital innovations in urban development, her contributions continue to shape the evolving discourse in participatory and resilient urban planning. As she forges ahead in her academic path, she is poised to make significant strides in creating inclusive and sustainable cities through research that empowers both institutions and citizens alike.