Study of Urban Dynamics and Socio Economic Changes A Case of Dehradun City Post Capital Designation

Abstract

Migration trends from rural to urban areas have been on a significant rise over time resulting in unprecedented levels of urban growth and rise of cities. Urbanization brings with it inherent opportunities and challenges for cities and ushers widespread effects on societies. While cities may benefit out of the advantages of proximity, density, diversity, and competition, rapid and constant population growth and unplanned urbanization can also put excessive pressure on the resources posing various challenges in future for providing better living conditions, ensuring inclusive and sustained development, and ensuring welfare. Moreover, the obsession for cliched economic growth often results in the cities missing out on various social well-being aspects and even losing out their personality and character. newlineThe city of Dehradun is one such case in point. Eversince its designation as a temporary or interim capitalof the newly formed state of Uttarakhand in 2000, the city has undergone drastic socio-economic and environmental changes thus far. The city witnessed unprecedented growth of population because of migration along with unplanned and haphazard growth and expansion, leading to several changes and consequences. It becomes imperative to guage the changes and impact thus far in order to assess the situation, identify and analyze the potential concerns and challenges and formulate policies and actions for future development. The current research attempts to carry out a comprehensive assessment of the changes and impact on the city. It therefore analyzes the situation and assesses the state of affairs in the city through a secondary study on urban dynamics and change in socio-economic factors, and a primary study to take cognizance of the perception of residents regarding the impact on the city and alongside reflect major concerns. The need and relevance of the study lies in leveraging the findings related to the impact on the city to serve as the basis and pave the way for sustainable development planning in alignment