A Comparative Analysis of Spatio–Temporal Growth Pattern of Urbanization between Bankura and South 24 Parganas District, West Bengal

Abstract

Urbanization and modernization are closely interlinked to each other and hence they are now in the forefront of research in social sciences. The most significant aspects of worldwide post-war demographic phenomena are associated with the fast growth of urban area in developing countries. However, the pattern of urban growth varies according to the spatio-temporal scale. The study of trend and pattern of urbanization in spatio-temporal variation is important for any urban development planning. Urban Growth gives rises to various types of economic, industries benefit from concentration of suppliers and consumers, which allow saving in communication and transport costs and also exerts adverse effect on environment. In India, the highest urbanized state is Maharashtra whereas the rate of urbanization is comparatively less in West Bengal in comparison with other states of India. Uneven rate in urbanization process is also found in different parts of the state of West Bengal too. South 24 Parganas and Bankura are two marginal districts situated in the south-eastern and western part of the state has been selected for the study. These two districts have different level of urbanization depending upon their distinctive socio-economic conditions. The present study is an effort to compare the spatio-temporal pattern of urbanization between these two districts and trace out the prime responsible causes behind such variations.