Metropolitan City Growth and Management in Post-liberalized India

Abstract

A noted Indian urban geographer examines the growth and management of metropolitan cities in India since the country's economic liberalization was introduced in 1991. The author discusses the significant changes in urban policy that have been initiated over the last two decades, with the state diluting its presence in many sectors and inviting private capital participation in the economy. Also covered are metropolitan growth and investment patterns traced to major urban, state, and central government policies. A comparative study of two metropolitan areas, Kolkata and Bangalore, is used to highlight differences in governance patterns in light of local exigencies as well as globalization.

Keywords:

• India
• Kolkata
• Bangalore
• metropolitan cities
• economic liberalization
• city management
• municipal services
• urban development
• urban revenues and expenditures
• social indicators