Metropolitan and Peri-Urban Governance in India: Case Study of Chennai Metropolitan Area

Abstract

The rapid growth and economic importance of metropolitan cities is a known fact world over. These cities have increased in number over a period of time and have immense economic importance for their countries. They account for more than half of the world’s wealth. Moreover, some of the larger metropolitan cities in South Asia account for one-third and even more of the national GDP. The fast pace of growth of metropolitan cities and their peri-urban areas and the resulting spatial transformation is one of the most striking features of India’s urban scenario. In this context, planning and basic service provisions are the two components that warrant special attention in metropolitan regions for organised spatial, economic and social development. The present paper emphasises on the need for better service provision in peri-urban areas. It recommends a strategy to govern metropolitan regions so that the peri-urban areas can also get equitable treatment in the development process.