Spatial Polarisation

Polarisation is a significant issue that often remains neglected in urban studies. In very simple words, it refers to the extreme growth at the top and bottom of any social distribution (e.g., income) with a continuous shrinkage in the middle section. The translation of this social polarisation in the urban landscape is known as spatial polarisation. Therefore, socio-spatial polarisation broadly refers to the growing gap between rich and poor in terms of both socio-economic position and geographic locations. In an era of globalisation and neoliberalism, cities are undergoing massive urban restructuring that has shown evidence of an aggravating core-peripheral divide and decline of upward mobility in poorer regions. In the context of these urban transitions, it is necessary to understand how Indian metropolises have manifested this polarisation process both at a macro scale and micro scale.

Globalisation and Neoliberalism

Globalisation and neoliberalism have brought forth a new economy that is largely urban-based and induces inequalities at multiple dimensions. The technological integration, concentration of service-based industries, and knowledge economy in certain areas are major outcomes of these neoliberal policies that have created significant impacts on the socio-political relations of cities. The new urban economy has heightened inter-urban inequalities and has induced resurgence of central cities/metropolitan cores that have become more exclusive due to increased attention towards elitist consumption. However, the spatial manifestation of this inequality or polarisation is not similar across all cities and largely depends on local contexts and institutional factors. So, my research involves the identification and understanding of different dimensions that, along with globalisation, are making Indian cities more fragmented.

The Growing Inequality in Indian Cities

The structural reforms and neoliberal industrial policies have aggravated regional competition and spatial inequality in the cities of India. This inequality trend is evident at both macro and micro scales. At a macro scale, spatial polarisation is evident in India owing to its metropolisation. The 52 million-plus cities are estimated to produce about one-third (32%) of the nation's total economic output, but the concentration of demographic and economic activities is not the same for all metropolitan areas, which points towards growing regional inequality. At a micro scale, these metropolises have become more divided due to the growing gap between the core and periphery, gentrification at the cost of eviction of the poor, and the desire of different socio-economic groups to live separately by creating gated communities. My research delves into understanding inequality at both these scales.

Urban and Regional Planning

I am an architect and have received a postgraduate degree in Masters in Regional Planning. I mostly work on the growth dynamics of Indian metropolises, regional inequality, and the restructuring of urban spaces due to the impact of policies, historical contexts, and other socio-economic attributes. My current research focuses on understanding how spatial polarisation has manifested in Indian metropolitan regions.

PhD. Research Scholar

Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee | July 2021 - Present

Thesis Title: Spatial Polarisation and Growth Dynamics of Indian Metropolitan Regions in a Globalised and Neoliberal Era

Projects worked on: Smart Cities and Academia towards Action & Research (SAAR)

Masters of Planning (with Specialization in Regional planning)

School of planning and Architecture, New Delhi | 2019 - 2021

Recipient of SPA Gold Medal for Best Student in Regional Planning;

Elective courses: Resettlement & Rehabilitation; Inclusive Cities; Planning for Sustainable settlements

Bachelor of Architecture

Jadavpur University, Kolkata | 2014 - 2019

3rd topper

Thesis Title: Evolve: A Holistic Healing Centre for Drug Addicts

Participation work: UNESCO ‘Little Europe’- A study on heritage centres on Hooghly River

12th

Bidhan Chandra Institution For Girls, Durgapur, West Bengal | 2014

Percentage: 87%

10th

Durgapur A.V.B High School (H.S), Durgapur, West Bengal | 2012

Percentage: 88.57%

Intern Architect

MNC One Design Solutions, 1516, Rajdanga Main Road, Kolkata | June 2017 - November 2017

Worked on sanction drawings, working drawings of major residential projects - Preparation of 3D Models, rendered views, and project reports.

Teaching Assistant

NPTEL | July, 2022- September, 2022

Teaching Assistant for the course NPTEL Course: "Introduction to Urban Planning - noc22-ar18"

Conducted live interaction sessions on Urban Planning, Mangement and Policies

Guest Lecturer

College of Engineering Roorkee (COER) | August, 2022 - November, 2022

Conducted classes for the B. Tech Civil Engineering students in COER on each Saturday on the subject ‘Planning Techniques and Analysis’

Book Chapter:

“Appraising the spatial polarization in Indian urbanization in a Neoliberal era -A Case study of the Hyderabad Metropolitan Region” | Pandit S.

Manuscript prepared and submitted to CRC Press, Taylor & Francis Group