URBAN CONTINUUM IN JHARKHAND: BEYOND THE STATE FORMATION

Urbanization as an important area for development intervention and as a reflection of economic prosperity is established beyond doubt. However in the recent decades a considerable body of research has undermined a large share of urban population outside the ambit of metropolises and global city regions. This paper attempts to unearth the trends and spatial structure as well as potentiality of future urban development in one the most backward regions of India i.e. Jharkhand. The paper outlines the different facets of urbanization process along with the heterogeneity of urbanization process in Jharkhand. The spatial imbalances have been focused in depth in the proceeding sections along with emphasis on the potentiality of future urban growth in the region. The results depict lopsided urbanization with maximum concentration of population in class I cities. At the same time it shows revival of lower order towns.