Over-urbanization refers to cities growing too fast without enough job opportunities. It means that the population becomes so large that cities can’t provide a decent quality of life. This includes issues like overcrowded housing, overuse of public services, and poor access to basic amenities.
Some argue that in India:
- Urban growth is happening faster than industrial growth.
- Cities take up a large portion of resources, slowing down overall economic development.
- Public services and amenities in cities are breaking down under the pressure of growing populations.
However, some scholars disagree with this view. They believe India is not over-urbanized and point out that urban growth trends in India are similar to those in many other developing countries. Additionally, urbanization has led to more job opportunities and higher incomes for city residents.
The Institute of Urban Affairs also argues against the idea of over-urbanization. They suggest that the problem isn’t the size of the cities, but the lack of effective policies to manage urban growth. According to them, the challenges cities face in India are due to poor urban planning and not the rapid pace of urbanization itself.
In summary, while some believe India’s cities are overburdened, others argue that with better policies, urban growth could be managed more effectively.