Summary

Society Class 14

THE CLASS STARTED WITH A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF THE PREVIOUS TOPICS (01:03 PM)

URBANIZATION (01:08 PM)

Urbanization is defined as 'the movement of people from rural to urban areas'
It is not only involves 'residential movement' but also 'changes in occupation' as well as a 'value system'
The ideology associated is referred to as 'Urbanism'
'Urbanism' is defined as the organization of society along the following lines:
Complex division of labour.
High level of technology.
Economic interdependence.
High opportunity for social mobility.
Impersonality in social relationships.
Anonymity and heterogeneity.
Individualism.
Types of Urbanization:
a) Over-Urbanization:
It happens When,

level of urbanization >>> level of industrialization.
Over Urbanization leads to population pressure.
There would be a resource crunch.
There would be a discrepancy in demand and supply.
Skyrocketing real estate prices and cost of living also rise.
All these factors lead to declining quality of life.
b) Sub-urbanisation:
The growth of cities on the fringes is called as 'Sub-urbanisation'
The Conditions to be fufilled are as following:
Skyrocketing prices of real estate.
Development of public transport
Emergence of new work culture (Work-From-Home)
c) Urban Sprawl:
It is defined as the 'uncontrolled and unplanned outward expansion of a city to the extent of engulfing the nearby rural areas'
It is characterized by the desire to live in big accommodations and access to private transportation.
However, It is confronted by pollution, traffic congestion, environmental degradation, decline in community living.
Where as' Suburbanization' refers to the migration of people and businesses to suburbs. It involves the development of residential, commercial and industrial areas on the periphery it is more planned and organized as compared to 'Urban Sprawl'
d) Counter Urbanization:
It is defined as a 'social and demographic process where people migrate from urban to rural areas due to inner-city deprivation, congestion, pollution, and decline in quality of life'
Example: Mushrooming the Farmhouse Culture.

PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH URBANIZATION (01:41 PM)

According to Census 2011, around 31.18% of the population lives in urban areas.
17% of the urban population is in slums.
13% of the urban population does not have access to sanitation.
30% of the urban population does not have access to safe drinking water.
According to C. Rangarajan Panel Report, 26.4% of the urban population is BPL.
There exists a general perception that slum proliferation is the result of migration, however, an expert group on urban poverty during the 12^th FYP observed that it is the result of the failure of housing policies.
According to UN-Habitat, Slum is defined as 'A residential dwelling which is considered unfit for human habitation because it is overcrowded, poorly ventilated and lacks basic resources for survival'
According to the World Bank by 2035, a Maximum number of extremely poor people will live in urban areas.
a) Problems with respect to housing and Slums:
Improper city planning due to the heritage of past construction.
For Example, Delhi is expanded horizontally and not vertically due to historical aspects and other factors.
Lack of private developers to invest in social housing.
Lack of integrated planning, i.e. Entire focus is on land use without taking into consideration, transportation, environment, socioeconomic needs, etc.
So, to address this issue, the government did plan (In-Situ Rehabilitation) however there was a lack of proper implementation.
Failure to implement the 'National Urban Housing and Habitat Policy' which said that 15% of the land will be given for social housing every year.
The concept of a 'Gated community', leads to social exclusion at the top or ghettoization based on high income, which further reduces the availability of land for social housing.
Large number of slums in major cities is also a major problem in housing.
Reasons for the persistence of the slums:
They constitute the most politically active section of the society hence a major vote bank.
They provide cheap labour for political parties.
There exists a 'Quid-pro-quo' between slum dwellers and informal sector employers.
Living in slums reduces the cost of living and on the other hand it reduces the cost of labour.
Due to the existence of a sub-culture of poverty there is a lack of relative deprivation.
'Bureaucratic apathy' and lack of government accountability are also responsible for slum proliferation.
Although slums were perceived to be a temporary problem, now it has become a permanent structural issue.
b) Socio-cultural Problems:
Residential segregation based on primordial identities.
Spatial pattern of communal violence.
Limited access to resources.
Feeling of relative deprivation.
High incidences of conflict and crimes.
Due to the existence of objective reality, migrants often become the victim of identity politics.
Slum proliferation and its emergence as a 'Den of Pathological Behaviour', for example, Gang violence, vandalism, drug abuse, organized crimes, etc.
Corruption of the value system:
Obsession with material goals to the extent of exclusion of legitimate means as a result abuse against vulnerable sections has increased.
Disintegration of joint family- Lack of agency of primary socialization and social control which increases the vulnerability of old age, juvenile crimes and lack of moral values.
Urban areas are characterised by anonymity and individualism which has resulted in isolation, decline in community living, bystander apathy, etc.
Increased incidences of violence against women due to the emergence of the nuclear family, lack of social support
Women are treated as a cushion to vent out frustration.
Due to a lack of fulfilled aspirations along with a decline in the presence of religion leads to anxiety, depression, mental health issues, breakdown of families, marriages, etc.
Due to Westernization there is an increase in consumerism, loss of traditional values, commodification and objectification.
Gentrification:
Urban growth has enhanced the infrastructure in the cities which has triggered the process of gentrification.
i.e. Low-income residents are displaced when affluent individuals move into their neighbourhood which leads to increased cost of living.
Example, Hauz Khas Village,shahpur jat, Lower Parel in Mumbai, etc.
Many times urban beautification drives limit the urban access of the poor.
Example, Chennai's Marina Beach beautification led to displacement of fishermen folks from the slums.
Lack of resilience to environmental shocks further aggravates the vulnerability of the marginalized.
Example, Residents of Delhi's Yamuna Flood plain.
c) Rising health issues with respect to Non Communicable diseases:
Dependence on technology.
Sedentary Lifestyle
McDonaldization of food habits.
Lack of green space for physical activities.
Instant gratification (eg. BlinkIt, Zepto, etc.)
Inability to control the urge of instant gratification.
Urbanization of Pandemics:
The urbanization of pandemics refers to the phenomenon where the spread and impact of infectious diseases are influenced and exacerbated by the characteristics and dynamics of urban areas.
Increased density of population
Burden on transportation,
Slum proliferation,
Encroachment in natural habitat,
Closed encounter with wildlife
Lack of preparedness among local authorities with respect to risk management.
All these factors contribute to the urbanization of pandemic
d) Urban Pollution:
(Kindly refer the the Handout)
Problem of Urban Waste:
Waste management and waste handling.
The pollution contaminates the water in the urban areas.
According to the World Air Quality Report, 10/15 World's most polluted cities are in India.
With regard to water, The problem ranges from:
a) Poor management of water resources.
b) Leaky water distribution network.
c) Vaste volume of untreated waste is dumped into the river.
d) Transportation, inadequate road infrastructure which often leads to capacity overloading and the problem of road accidents.
'Vision Zero of Sweden' can be adopted in the Indian context as well.

'Vision Zero' is a road safety initiative that originated in Sweden and has since been adopted by various cities and countries around the world.
The core principle of Vision Zero is the belief that 'no loss of life' or serious injuries in road traffic is acceptable, and the road system should be designed to ensure the safety of all users.

Urban centres are defined as 'Jungles of Concrete' which leads to poor drainage and seepage of rainwater creating the situation of urban floods and water-logged areas.
The reasons responsible for urban flooding are:
Rapid urbanization, inadequate drainage infrastructure, encroachment of water bodies, lack of green space, parks, gardens, etc.
Poor waste management.
Climate Change and problems of urban governance.
Lack of 3Fs.
3Fs stands for:

Funds,

Functions,

Functionaries.

WAY FORWARD (03:15 PM)

Development of 'Inclusive Urban space'
Reform in urban administration. i.e. A separate cadre for city administrators and professional management of urban local bodies.
A cascaded planning structure is required.
Long-term vision needs to be integrated with short-term targets.
New Models of development need to be adopted like:
a) Transport-oriented development Model:
The Transport-oriented Development Model is an approach to urban and regional planning that places a strong emphasis on integrating transportation systems with land use planning.
This model is designed to create more sustainable, efficient, and livable communities by prioritizing public transportation, walking, and cycling, while minimizing reliance on private cars.
b) Hub-Spoke Model:
The Hub and Spoke Development Model is an urban and regional planning approach that revolves around the creation of central hubs or focal points connected to surrounding areas, or spokes.
For Example, Delhi as a hub and spokes like Meerut, Gurugram,Noida, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, etc.
c) Sponge City Model:
Its model strengthens the ecological infrastructure and drains network to ensure a proper 'Flood management system'
It explores the potential of urban areas such as the availability of trees, parks, and lakes which can absorb the rainwater and prevent flooding.
Hence, Through developed 'Plant-edged sidewalks' or 'Inner city Gardens', etc. one can build a sponge around the city which can absorb the water.
Tapping different sources of funding for Example, Public-Private Partnerships, Monetization of land assets, increasing property tax, Issuing municipal bonds, etc. can be done.

THE SYLLABUS FOR INDIAN SOCIETY IS COMPLETED.