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A NEW SENSE OF URBANISATION THAT IS DOMINATING

Syllabus:

GS 3:

• Role of women and women’s organization, population and associated issues, poverty and developmental issues, urbanization, their problems and their remedies.

Focus:

• The old understanding that cities are considered to be centres of enlightenment, workplace, and habitat is being challenged, also bringing into focus the role

Source:- The Hindu

Inauguration of significant institutions like the new Parliament building and the Ram temple by the Prime Minister raises questions regarding the fusion of democracy and religious worship. The emergence of religious cities like Ayodhya as centers of urban development poses a shift from traditional urbanization focused on work, industry, and modernism.

Evolution from Colonial to New Cities

• Historical Perspective:

• • Colonial cities primarily served logistical purposes for goods transportation and taxation, contrasting with the emerging paradigm of religious city development.
  • Modern cities historically embraced modernism in architecture, culture, and societal norms, influenced by figures like Le Corbusier and Habib Rahman.
• Building New Towns:
  • New towns emerged post-independence to address various needs, including refugee resettlement and economic development, embodying the ideals of modern India despite shortcomings.

Investments and Urban Modules

• Post-Colonial Urbanization Trends:

• • Despite the emergence of industrial towns like Bhilai and Chandigarh, metros continued to attract the bulk of population and investments.
  • The current trend involves elevating regional pilgrimage cities like Ayodhya through substantial infrastructure investments, prompting questions about the rationale behind such expenditures.
• Government Expenditure Analysis:
  • Projects such as the Central Vista, the Sardar Patel statue, and the high-speed bullet train alongside the Ayodhya temple indicate a broader governmental agenda.
  • The focus appears to be on positioning India as a modern nation with deep historical roots, potentially blurring the lines between religion and politics.

Role of the State and Social Good

• Reevaluation of State Responsibilities:

• • The discussion shifts towards the role of the state in urban development and resource allocation, emphasizing the importance of directing surplus capital towards societal well-being.
  • There’s a call for investment prioritization in modern institutions, education, health, and social infrastructure, aligning with the needs of a rapidly urbanizing society.
• Revivalism and Decentralization:
  • Critiques highlight the revivalist approach’s centralization of finances and the risk of religious ghettoization in urban spaces.
  • Proposals for decentralization and democratization aim to ensure dynamic citizen coexistence and equitable access to rights and resources, countering the trend towards religiously oriented urban development.

Urbanization and Its Causes

• Economic Development Link:

• • Urbanization correlates with economic growth, marked by the migration of surplus rural population to industrial urban centers.
• Modernization and Industrialization:
  • Urbanization reflects a historic global shift from rural to predominantly urban culture, spurred by modernization and industrialization.
• Rapid Growth:
  • India’s urbanization rate rose from 27.8% in 2001 to 31.2% in 2011, with projections estimating 590 million urban residents by 2030.

Causes of Rapid Urbanization

• Natural Population Increase:

• • Improved healthcare and sanitation lead to higher urban population growth rates compared to rural areas.
• Migration:
  • Rural-urban migration driven by job opportunities and economic factors contributes significantly to urbanization.
• Expansion of Trade and Industry:
  • Industrial and trade growth attracts population concentration, fostering urban development.

Consequences of Rapid Urbanization

• Positive Aspects:

• • Economic Growth: Industrialization fosters employment opportunities and urban economic development.
  • Modernization: Urbanization facilitates changes in attitudes and behaviors, driving societal modernization.
• Negative Aspects:
  • Congestion: Urbanization leads to traffic congestion and population concentration, challenging urban management.
  • Low Quality of Life: Issues like housing, education, and healthcare disparities lower the quality of life in urban areas.
  • Loss of Rural Productivity: Rural-urban migration diminishes rural productivity, impacting village economies negatively.

Significance of Urban Living

• Access to Facilities:

• • Urban living offers better access to education, healthcare, and social services, enhancing quality of life.
• Access to Information:
  • Urban residents benefit from easier access to information, leading to informed decisions and improved health outcomes.
• Individualism:
  • Urban environments foster individualism, providing diverse opportunities for personal and career development.

Issues Associated with Urbanization

• Excessive Population Pressure:

• • Rural-urban migration strains existing infrastructure, leading to problems like slums, crime, and unemployment.
• Overflowing Slums:
  • Millions reside in inadequate housing conditions, with a majority living in slums, exacerbating social issues.
• Inadequate Housing:
  • Lack of affordable housing leads to overcrowding and poor living conditions for urban dwellers.
• Unplanned Development:
  • Unplanned urban growth exacerbates socio-economic disparities, particularly between the rich and poor.
• Pandemic-Induced Problems:
  • The COVID-19 pandemic worsened conditions for urban poor, highlighting vulnerabilities in urban infrastructure and welfare systems.
• Non-Inclusive Welfare Schemes:
  • Many urban poor do not benefit from welfare schemes due to inclusion errors, exacerbating social inequalities.

Source:

https://epaper.thehindu.com/reader

Mains Practice Question:

“Discuss the multifaceted implications of rapid urbanization in India, analyzing its causes, consequences, and significance. Evaluate the challenges posed by urbanization and propose measures for sustainable urban development.”