Peri-urban livelihood dynamics: A case study from Eastern India

Abstract

An important development of the urban settlements during the last few decades has been the rapid expansion of the population and the built-up area into the administratively different suburbs and areas surrounding the large towns and cities. These areas suffer from the negative consequences of unplanned urban growth, associated land use changes, rapid social change and degradation of natural resources. Burdwan city is situated along the greater Kolkata metropolitan area and Asansol industrial area corridor. As a result, this city has experienced problems such as socio-spatial segregation, socio-economic and cultural gaps as well as uncontrolled land markets and the spread of informal development. The present study examines the empirical findings of socioeconomic transformation as a part of peripheral urbanization. For a better analysis, the livelihood asset index (LAI) and household quality of life index (HQLI) were determined. Livelihood asset index is analysed by considering four capitals i.e. physical, human, financial and social with 12 index components. Villages located nearby city have high index whereas far distance villages have a low index. Finally, it is concluded that as livelihood asset increases, the quality of life also increases in the peri-urban villages of Burdwan area.