Marginalization and socio-ecological transformation in new urban peripheries: A case study of Gurgaon

Abstract

Marginalization is a dynamic and multilayered concept with a large granularity in terms of intensity and its meaning. Societies can be marginalized at the global level whereas classes and communities can be marginalized from the dominant power structures of society and ethnic groups, families or individuals can be marginalized within our social milieu. Inequality, hierarchy and deprivation on the parochial basis are interwoven with the normative fabric of Indian society throughout the history. Metropolitan cities reflect expansion of existing urban and peri-urban areas with a significant socio-ecological transformation in terms of employment, education, and work force participation and land use changes. From the point of view of New Economic Geography Theory 2009, the growth dynamic of metros is influenced by their proximity and dependence to a metropolis and the probable spillover effect. To relate it further with agriculture land loss that was compensated for urban development, the entry point of discussion is the change in production of space in the post-globalization era. It order to understand how land got reappropriated by dispossessing farmers for urban development in Gurgaon, remote sensing datasets are used. Datasets of LISS-IV, IRS-P6 of 5.8 m spatial resolution for 2008 and 2013 is used along with Gurgaon Municipal Corporation’s (GMC) ward boundary to represent sociopolitical meaning of this expansion and ways of life within the suburb. However, in recent times the economic forces of globalization have transformed the existing structures in all socioeconomic spheres, this paper tries to examine marginalization with this backdrop. Marginalization here we are referring to a complex process rather than a static single parameter. Income could be one single parameter of marginalization, but here we are looking into the multiple dimensions of marginalization, i.e. assets, education, work force participation, employment and land. Socio Economic Caste Census data (SECC) of 2011 used to articulate mentioned multiple dimensions of marginalization across spatial units varying from urban core to rural hinterland in north transact, across municipal ward number 34 in central Gurgaon; Harhi Harsaru, a new census town on periphery and Village Dhankot.