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Urban Sprawl in Delhi: Cause and Consequences, P.hD Thesis, Submited at BR Ambedekar Univ. Agra, UP.
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bhaskarkanungo
Original Author: Sangeeta
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Urban sprawl is a much debated subject in United States and western countries. Various scholars have tried to define and
discuss the concept of urban sprawl by its nature and characteristics. In US and western European counties, the phenomenon of urban sprawl is generally found at a distance of about 150 to 300 kilometers from the core city. It is because of the population pressure at the core of city along with the high density of buildings. Such things lead to congestion and it also hampers the scope of urban development in the existing city, except few modifications. The need of industrial and commercial space leads to urban sprawl. The good transportation linkage and high speed vehicles also helps in urban sprawl as the distance of 200 kilometers can be covered in less than two hours. Also due to its relative nearness to city, the urban sprawls do notface shortage ofhigh skilled labours and entrepreneurs. As a result new center of urban activities emerges on the rural areas. Though these rural areas have specific functions and are often play a much specialised role in the economy of the nation, they also face the problem of urban planning. These urban sprawls also face the problem of resource allocation as the local municipality of urban limits does not have its jurisdiction over such places. As a result many scholars have termedsuch areas as 'areas with leap-forg development', marked with lack of proper planning, low density population, inhabited mainly by rich and influential population, good connectivity with the city, etc.
In case of India the nature of urban sprawl is totally different. The problem of urban sprawl is rarely found in urban literatures of India. Indiais largely a rural country. Aboutseventyfour percent of Indian population resides in the rural areas of country. The urban population are mainly concentrated in Metropolitan cities, state capitals, other cities and towns. Thisresearch attempts to find out the cause and consequences of urban sprawl in Delhi.Before going into details, it needs to be mentioned that the nature of urban sprawl isstrikingly different from United States or West European countries.The phenomena of urban sprawl can bewitnessed in the peripheral villages of Delhi.The urban expansion of Delhi has led to engulfment ofsurrounding village lands for theurban development process. Unlike the US or European countries, the urban sprawl phenomenain Delhi is separated from city by rural areas, rather it shares common boundaries. Hence the distance factor is missing between the Western sprawl and Indian sprawl. Also due to urban expansion programmes,all agricultural fields are acquired by the government agencies for urban development. These areas are turned into a plannedresidential or commercial area. But the problem is with the unplanned and haphazard urban growth and developmentin the villages. These villages are also known as urban villages. These are marked with high density of lower economic population, mainly migrants in form of tenants, unplanned buildings, narrow roads and by-lanes, lack of proper sanitation and drinking water, low cost business activities, informal or unregistered businessand manufacturing activities, etc.
The main cause of urban sprawl in Delhi is due to lack of proper urban development vision of Delhi Development Authority, along with lack of awareness among villagers regarding urban laws. Also the neglect of urban villages by the municipality and other urban bodies are responsible for the deteriorating condition of peripheral villages of Delhi. Also the fact like high income from tenancy is another factor which has led to haphazard and mindless construction of buildings. These buildings are of major concern in case of any disaster, as the density of population in urban villages is very high.There is an urgent need tolook into theurban villages by the government, urban planning bodies and urban planners in order to save these areas from becoming uan slums. It urgent attention is not paid at the earliest, the urban villages are going to become highly congested high-rise urban slums with narrow and filthy lanes.This abstract was checked by WhiteSmoke Solution. Learn More.
Published: January 12, 2007