Ms . Daneesha Ranasinghe | Urban Planning | Best Researcher Award

Daneesha Ranasinghe is academically grounded in urban and regional planning, beginning with her Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Town and Country Planning from the University of Moratuwa, where she graduated with a GPA of 3.41 (Second Class Upper Division) between 2017 and 2021. She is currently enrolled in a Master of Science by Research at the same institution, focusing on mobile augmented reality and youth engagement in urban planning. Her earlier education includes Advanced Level studies at D. S. Senanayake College in Ampara (2013–2015) and Ordinary Level studies at Pushpadana Girls’ College, Kandy (2007–2013). Complementing her formal education, Daneesha has completed certificate courses in Electronic Media Presentation and Editing (Best Media Network, 2016), and Professional English and Computer Applications (National Youth Services Council, 2013). Her educational trajectory reflects a blend of technical, technological, and communication-oriented learning, equipping her to tackle interdisciplinary challenges in urban research and innovation.

Daneesha Ranasinghe currently serves as a Research Assistant at the University of Moratuwa, actively contributing to multiple cutting-edge research projects that blend technology with urban planning. Her professional experience includes involvement in initiatives such as the TRANSCEND project led by the University of Salford, UK, focusing on risk-sensitive urban development, and Project ENSEMBLE, which explores resilience and social cohesion through community and spatial transformation. She previously completed an internship at the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority as a Project Management Trainee. Daneesha has also contributed to university-funded research on involving children in urban planning and has served as a guest lecturer, presenting on applications of geo-informatics such as AR and VR in planning. Her work is not limited to academia; she has been part of event organizing committees, technological exhibitions, and public engagement programs, making her professional journey both dynamic and impactful in the fields of planning, education, and research dissemination.

Daneesha Ranasinghe’s research interests lie at the intersection of urban planning, digital technology, and community engagement. She is particularly focused on how mobile augmented reality (AR) and gamification can be employed to enhance youth involvement in urban design and disaster education. Her academic work explores participatory planning methods, spatial data visualization, and interactive platforms to make urban development more inclusive, resilient, and data-driven. She has engaged in systematic literature reviews and empirical studies addressing flood preparedness, risk-sensitive urban development, and the use of serious games for social learning. Daneesha’s interest in child-friendly cities, crowdsourced data, and placemaking further reflects her passion for community-oriented and technology-driven research. Through collaborative projects and real-world implementations, she seeks to bridge the gap between policymakers, planners, and the public, particularly marginalized groups like youth and children. Her interdisciplinary approach aims to revolutionize how cities are designed, experienced, and sustained in the face of emerging global challenges.

Daneesha Ranasinghe has received several accolades in recognition of her academic and extracurricular excellence. Most notably, she was awarded Best Paper in the Special Session of Sustainable Construction at the 15th International Conference on Sustainable Built Environment (ICSBE) 2024. She is also a University Color Awardee at the Sri Lanka University Games (SLUG 2019) for her achievements in sports, including her role as a Karate (Kumite) Champion at the Western Province Karate Championship in 2019. In her school years, she received the School Color Award from Pushpadana Girls’ College in 2012 and participated actively in guiding and leadership activities. She has also been a delegate for UNICEF at the International Model United Nations (IMUN) 37.0, reflecting her engagement in global dialogue. Additionally, she has been recognized for her leadership in student associations such as the Young Planner’s Forum and the Mora Hiking Club, further showcasing her diverse and impactful contributions.

Daneesha Ranasinghe demonstrates a diverse and practical skill set essential for contemporary urban research. Her technical proficiencies include GIS & Remote Sensing, AutoCAD, SketchUp Pro, and Unity, all of which support her development of augmented reality applications and spatial analyses. She is skilled in project management, critical thinking, team collaboration, and public communication, ensuring her effectiveness in both research and community engagement settings. Daneesha’s expertise in designing and deploying mobile and web-based platforms, including gamified applications and crowdsourcing tools, underscores her ability to merge technology with participatory planning. Her experience with data visualization and systematic literature reviews further enhances her analytical capacity. Through multi-institutional collaborations, she has refined her skills in stakeholder engagement, risk communication, and disaster education. Her fluency in academic writing and publishing in Q1/Q2 journals reflects a strong command of research communication. Overall, her skill set is both broad and specialized, ideal for interdisciplinary urban innovation.

Daneesha Ranasinghe exhibits outstanding potential and is a highly promising candidate for the Best Researcher Award, particularly in the early-career or emerging researcher category. Her innovative work in integrating mobile augmented reality, youth engagement, and participatory urban planning—along with strong publication records and international collaboration—marks her as an exceptionally forward-thinking researcher.

If the award category considers early-career excellence and potential, she is a strong contender. With time and further experience, she is also likely to become a top-tier candidate for major national and international recognitions in the research and urban innovation fields.

• Title: CityBuildAR: Enhancing Community Engagement in Placemaking Through Mobile Augmented Reality
  Authors: Daneesha Ranasinghe, Nayomi Kankanamge, Chathura Kovida De Silva, Nuwani Kangana, Rifat Mahamood, Tan Yigitcanlar
  Year: 2025
  Citation: Ranasinghe, D., Kankanamge, N., De Silva, C. K., Kangana, N., Mahamood, R., & Yigitcanlar, T. (2025). CityBuildAR: Enhancing Community Engagement in Placemaking Through Mobile Augmented Reality. Future Internet, 17(3), 115. https://doi.org/10.3390/fi17030115

• Title: Bridging Community Engagement and Technological Innovation for Creating Smart and Resilient Cities: A Systematic Literature Review
  Authors: Nuwani Kangana, Nayomi Kankanamge, Chathura Kovida De Silva, Ashantha Goonetilleke, Rifat Mahamood, Daneesha Ranasinghe
  Year: 2024
  Citation: Kangana, N., Kankanamge, N., De Silva, C. K., Goonetilleke, A., Mahamood, R., & Ranasinghe, D. (2024). Bridging Community Engagement and Technological Innovation for Creating Smart and Resilient Cities: A Systematic Literature Review. Smart Cities, 7(6), 3823–3852. https://doi.org/10.3390/smartcities7060147

• Title: CityBuildAR: Enhancing Community Engagement in PlaceMaking through Mobile Augmented Reality (Working Paper)
  Authors: Daneesha Ranasinghe, Nayomi Kankanamge, Chathura Kovida De Silva, Nuwani Kangana, Rifat Mahamood, Tan Yigitcanlar
  Year: 2024
  Citation: Ranasinghe, D., Kankanamge, N., De Silva, C. K., Kangana, N., Mahamood, R., & Yigitcanlar, T. (2024). CityBuildAR: Enhancing Community Engagement in PlaceMaking through Mobile Augmented Reality. Preprints, https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202412.1327.v1