GATE Architecture & Planning Syllabus 2025 - Best Books, Preparation Tips

Topic

Sub-Topics

Architecture, Planning, and Design

• Architectural Graphics

• Visual composition in 2D and 3D

• Computer Application in Architecture and Planning

• Anthropometrics 

• Organization of space 

• Circulation- horizontal and vertical

• Space Standards

• Universal design

• Building Byelaws 

• Codes and standards   

Services and Infrastructure

• Firefighting Systems 

• Building Safety and Security systems 

• Building Management Systems 

• Water treatment 

• Water supply and distribution system 

• Water harvesting systems Principles, Planning and Design of stormwater drainage system 

• Sewage disposal methods 

• Methods of solid waste management - collection, transportation and disposal 

• Recycling and Reuse of solid waste 

• Land-use – transportation - urban form inter-relationships 

• Design of roads, intersections, grade separators and parking areas 

• Hierarchy of roads and level of service 

• Para-transits and other modes of transportation, Pedestrian and slow-moving traffic planning

Housing

• Housing typologies 

• Concepts, principles, and examples of a neighborhood 

• Residential densities 

• Affordable Housing

• Real estate valuation

Planning Process

• Salient concepts, theories and principles of urban planning 

• Concepts of cities - Eco-City, Smart City 

• Concepts and theories by trendsetting planners and designers 

• Ekistics 

• Urban sociology 

• Social, Economic and environmental cost-benefit analysis 

• Methods of non-spatial and spatial data analysis 

• Development guidelines such as URDPFI

Urban Design, Landscape and Conservation

• Historical and modern examples of urban design 

• Elements of the urban built environment – urban form, spaces, structure, pattern, fabric, texture, grain etc. 

• Concepts and theories of urban design 

• Principles, tools and techniques of urban design 

• Public spaces, character, spatial qualities and Sense of Place

• Urban design interventions for sustainable development and transportation 

• Development controls – FAR, densities and building bylaws 

• Urban renewal and conservation 

• Heritage conservation historical public spaces and gardens 

• Landscape design 

• Site planning

Environmental Planning and Design

• Natural and man-made ecosystem 

• Ecological principles 

• Environmental considerations in planning and design 

• Environmental pollution- types, causes, controls and abatement strategies 

• Sustainable development, goals and strategies 

• Climate change and built environment 

• Climate responsive design

Construction and Management

• Project management techniques e.g. PERT, CPM etc.

• Estimation and Specification; Professional practice and ethics 

• Form and Structure 

• Principles and design of disaster-resistant structures 

• Temporary structures for rehabilitation

Topic

Sub-Topics

Building Services and Sustainability 

• Solar architecture 

• Thermal, visual and acoustic comfort in built environments 

• Natural and Mechanical ventilation in buildings 

• Air-Conditioning systems 

• Sustainable building strategies 

• Building Performance Simulation and Evaluation 

• Intelligent Buildings 

• Water supply 

• Sewerage and drainage systems 

• Sanitary fittings and fixtures 

• Plumbing systems 

• Principles of the internal and external drainage system 

• Principles of electrification of buildings 

• Elevators and Escalators - standards and uses

Building Construction and Structural systems

• Building construction techniques, methods and details 

• Building systems and prefabrication of building elements 

• Principles of Modular Coordination 

• Construction planning and equipment 

• Building material characteristics and applications 

• Principles of the strength of materials 

• Alternative building materials 

• Foundations 

• Design of structural elements with different materials 

• Elastic and Limit State design 

• Structural systems 

• Principles of Pre-stressing 

• High Rise and Long Span structures, gravity and lateral load resisting systems

History and Contemporary Architecture

• Principles of Art and Architecture 

• World History of Architecture: Egyptian, Greco-Roman classical period, Byzantine, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque-Rococo, etc. 

• Recent trends in Contemporary Architecture: Art Nouveau, Art Deco, Eclecticism, International styles, Modernism, Deconstruction in architecture, etc. 

• Influence of Modern art and Design in Architecture 

• Indian vernacular and traditional Architecture, Oriental Architecture 

• Works of renowned national and international architects

Topic

Sub-Topics

Infrastructure Planning

• Process and Principles of Transportation Planning and Traffic Engineering 

• Road capacity and Travel demand forecasting 

• Traffic survey methods, Traffic flow Analysis 

• Traffic analyses and design considerations

• Traffic and transport management and control in urban areas

• Mass transportation planning; Intelligent Transportation Systems 

• Urban and Rural Infrastructure System Network

Planning Techniques and Management

• Application of G.I.S and Remote Sensing techniques in urban and regional planning 

• Tools and techniques of Surveys – Physical, Topographical, Land use and Socio-economic Surveys

• Urban Economics, Law of demand and supply of land and its use in planning 

• Graphic presentation of spatial data 

• Local self-governance, Panchayati raj institutions 

• Planning Legislation and implementation – Land Acquisition Act, PPP etc. 

• Decision support system and Land Information System 

• Urban geography and econometrics 

• Management of Infrastructure Projects 

• Demography and equity in planning

Regional and Settlement Planning

• Regional delineation 

• Settlement hierarchy 

• Types and hierarchy of plans 

• Various schemes and programs of the central government 

• Transit-Oriented Development (TOD), SEZ, SRZ etc. 

• Public Perception and User Behavior 

• National Housing Policies, Programs and Schemes

• Slums, Squatters and informal housing 

• Standards for housing and community facilities 

• Housing for special areas and needs

Name of Book

Author’s Name

Contemporary Library Architecture - A Planning and Design Guide

Ken Worpole

Principles of Town Planning and Architecture

Biswas Hiranmay

Architect’s Guidebook for Competetive Exams

AR Swapnil Vidhate

• AR Ashok Goel
• AR Arjun Kamal