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State of urbanisation amidst hastening rural-urban migration

June 12, 2023

Context: Article talks about the need of serious conceptual and financial inputs to improve
India’s urbanisation phase to accommodate rising rural-urban migration

Source: https://www.orfonline.org/expert-speak/hastening-rural-to-urban-migration/

Summary of the article

India’s urbanization has stalled despite rapid demographic expansion in a few megacities. The
country’s urbanization rate increased from 17.3 percent in 1951 to 31.16 percent in 2011,
averaging 2.31 percent per decade. Comparatively, the United States took 150 years to
reverse its rural-urban population ratio, while China is projected to achieve this in a century.
At India’s current pace, it may take over two centuries to reach the desired 80 percent urban
and 20 percent rural ratio. Urbanization is crucial for sustained long-term economic growth,
and therefore, more efforts are needed to expedite India’s urbanization process.

Four methods contribute to urban population growth: natural multiplication, physical
expansion by merging rural areas, reclassification of rural settlements as urban, and rural-to-urban migration. The latter, along with intra-urban migration, is the focus here. Rural-to-urban migration accounted for an average of 19.36 percent of urban population additions between 1971 and 2001. Employment opportunities and marriage were the primary reasons for rural-to-urban migration.

To accelerate urbanization, India should set a target of doubling its urbanization by 2060, reaching 60 percent urbanization. This can be achieved through initiatives such as improving urban infrastructure, including roads, water supply, housing, healthcare, education, and recreational facilities. The World Bank estimates that India needs $840 billion investment in urban infrastructure over the next 15 years. Additionally, instead of focusing solely on
megacities, India should identify 500 cities and towns across the country with the potential to develop into vibrant urban centers. Creating a favorable environment for manufacturing industries and informal employment, as well as making cities gender-friendly to accommodate women migrants, are essential steps. Overall, India’s urbanization requires significant conceptual and financial inputs to be accelerated and diversified, offering viable
alternatives beyond a limited number of megacities.

Sociological perspectives on rural-urban migration

• Structural-functional perspective: From this perspective, migration contributes to
  economic growth by supplying urban labor needs and promoting social mobility for
  individuals. It also acknowledges the impact of migration on rural communities, which
  may experience labor shortages and social dislocation. Overall, this perspective
  examines migration as a response to structural factors and analyzes its functional
  implications for both rural and urban areas.
• Conflict perspective: According to this perspective, migration occurs due to structural
  factors that perpetuate rural poverty and marginalization. It highlights the
  exploitation and vulnerabilities faced by migrant workers, such as low wages,
  precarious employment, and inadequate living conditions. Additionally, the conflict
  perspective examines the impact of migration on urban communities, including
  competition for jobs, social tensions, and the perpetuation of urban poverty and
  inequality.
• Symbolic interactionist perspective: This perspective focuses on the meanings,
  interactions, and social processes involved in rural-urban migration. It explores how
  individuals and communities construct their identities, aspirations, and experiences
  through migration. Symbolic interactionists examine the role of social networks,
  family ties, and personal motivations in shaping migration decisions. They also analyze
  the social interactions and cultural exchanges between migrants and the host
  community, studying how stereotypes, prejudices, and social integration processes
  influence migrants’ experiences and opportunities. The symbolic interactionist
  perspective highlights the importance of subjective meanings, social networks, and
  individual agency in understanding rural-urban migration.

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