Counter–Urbanisation as the Growth of Small Towns: Is the Capital Region of India Prepared?

Abstract

India's increased pace of urbanisation is evident, but the question remains as to whether India can harness its developmental potential by providing social infrastructure to meet its projected growth. This paper investigates the urbanisation trajectory with respect to the provision of social infrastructure in the Capital Region of India. First, it applies the differential urbanisation model and predicts counter-urbanisation to be the next stage of development. Second, using socioeconomic indicators, the paper finds high literacy rates and non-agricultural employment in small towns. Third, it explains deconcentration of large cities as an outcome of congested social infrastructure provision. Fourth, it determines that small towns continue to have poor provision of social infrastructure. This paper recommends the integration of spatial planning with social infrastructure planning, the empowerment of lower-tier authorities for social infrastructure delivery, and measures for raising local government revenue in the region and in similar regions throughout the Global South.

Study on the Spatial Differentiation of the Populations on Both Sides of the “Qinling-Huaihe Line” in China

“…Owen and Jacqueline [21] found that the counter urbanization in Zambia has mainly been affected by population migration. Jain and Korzhenevych [22] predicted India's counter urbanization process and put forward corresponding policy recommendations. Other scholars have explored the relationship between the spatial distribution of the population and socioeconomic phenomena.…”