Urbanization and Urban Development in Telangana: Community Service Perspective

Abstract

Telangana is the 29th state of India, where the urban development is centered in and on Hyderabad.  Over the last few decades has eclipsed the growth of other small and medium towns in the Telangana, leading to “intra-sub-regional disparities”. This paper is an analysis in the context of the birth of the new state. It chronicles the developments over the last six decades in the field of urban development in Telangana. In the last 60 years, Hyderabad has grabbed all attention, and most growth centers identified have recorded little or no growth. Hyderabad had a population of 12.51 lakhs in 1961.  In the next four decades (1961-2001), Hyderabad emerged as one of the fastest-growing metros in India. Over two decades 1991-2011, the population growth rate of most of the 27 Telangana towns declined.  Vijayapuri and Bellampally recorded a fall in population even in absolute terms. Sangareddy, Siddipet, Mahbubnagar, and Zahirabad—towns within proximity of Hyderabad alone recorded some growth. Within the Telangana, growth happened only in areas close to Hyderabad. For comprehensive planning and development of Telangana, it is proposed alternative patterns of regional urban development for the future network of towns in the state. Firstly, a Three Tier Pattern based on the concept of urban hierarchy. Secondly, the Multiple Urban-Industrial Nuclei Pattern of Development, and lastly, the Metropolitan Region, which was centered on the city of Hyderabad. It may be concluded within the Telangana; Hyderabad Metropolitan region grew at the cost of smaller towns.