NEW DELHI: On March 12, 2024, the academic and urban planning communities were treated to the launch of a significant publication, ‘Changing Paradigms of Urbanisation: India and Beyond,’ by Professor Om Prakash Mathur, a Visiting Senior Fellow at the Centre for Social and Economic Progress (CSEP) and a renowned expert in urban studies. The book, published by the Academic Foundation, is a comprehensive collection of Professor Mathur’s seminal papers on urbanisation, covering an impressive span from 1980 to 2023.
The launch event, which drew notable figures from various sectors, was not just a celebration of Professor Mathur’s prolific career but also a platform for critical discussions on urban development. Rakesh Mohan, President Emeritus and Distinguished Fellow of CSEP, highlighted in his introductory remarks the puzzling trend of slower-than-expected urbanisation in India post-1980s, despite economic liberalisation.
Laveesh Bhandari, President and Senior Fellow at CSEP, underscored the unprecedented global trend of sustained urban population growth over the last 56 years, pointing out the intricate connections between urbanisation, metro economies, and the principle of subsidiarity. He raised concerns over the ‘urbanisation without growth’ (a World Bank report) phenomenon, emphasising the capital- and technology-driven nature of current growth patterns.
The book was officially released by Nandan Nilekani, Co-Founder and Chairman of Infosys Limited, who lamented the insufficient implementation of the 74th Amendment and the historical oversight of cities in the constitutional framework. Nitin Desai, the event’s Chief Guest and former Under Secretary General of the UN, echoed Nilekani’s sentiments, advocating for better municipal coordination and urban planning responsive to climate change.
Adding to the discourse, Dinesh Mehta, Professor Emeritus from CEPT University, challenged prevalent notions about cities’ economic contributions to the GDP, while Kala Seetharam Sridhar, Professor and Head at Centre for Research in Urban Affairs (CRUA), proposed future areas of exploration for Professor Mathur, particularly regarding transport and mobility.
‘Changing Paradigms of Urbanisation: India and Beyond’ stands as a testament to Professor Mathur’s enduring impact on urban studies. It offers readers a deep dive into the evolution of urban development practices over nearly half a century, making it an essential resource for scholars and urban enthusiasts.