Trained as an Architect Planner with a doctorate from University of California at Los Angeles. Sanyal has served as a planning consultant to Ford Foundation, World Bank, International Labour Organization, United Nations Center for Human Settlements, United Nations Development Program, and the United States Agency for International Development. Research experience in India, Bangladesh, Zambia, Kenya, Jordan, Lebanon, Brazil, and Curacao.

Research areas of interest are: urban economy and housing, Planning Institutions and Processes; Role of Non-Governmental Organizations in development process; Planning Education and Theory.

http://dusp.mit.edu/p.lasso?t=5:1:0&detail=sanyal