The cultural markers of urbanisation

Source: The post is based on the article “The cultural markers of urbanisation” published in the Business Standard on 18th May 2023.

Syllabus: GS – 1: Urbanisation, their problems and their remedies.

Relevance: About the cultural markers of urbanisation.

News: The impact of urbanisation is not only limited to the demographic composition of an area but also has a much more lasting and profound impact on the cultural fabric of that area.

How do cultural markers of urbanisation create a lasting impact on society?

Sociologists used to think that urbanisation was nothing more than a simple population shift from rural to urban areas. But that is not the reality. Individuals from many ethnic backgrounds choose to migrate and dwell in cities, creating cultural concentrations

Over time, people can become “urbanised” and exposed to various cultures if they live in urban regions for a long time. They absorb these concepts and take them back to their smaller towns or villages, thereby influencing their immediate environments. For instance, large retail convenience stores in smaller towns are a clear marker of urbanisation.

These transformations are not as transitory. Instead, they are permanent. So, urbanisation, like globalisation, is aiding the transformation of the culture of a city.

Why India needs to pay attention to the cultural markers of urbanisation?

Increasing urban population: For the first time ever, in 2008, more people lived in cities than rural areas. About two-thirds of the world’s population is predicted to reside in urban regions by 2050 and more than half of the world’s population already living there.

GDP powerhouse: Further, metropolitan areas are thought to account for 70% of the global GDP. Cities serve as centres for trade, culture, research, productivity, and growth of society, the human race, and the economy.  So, India needs to pay special attention to the cultural markers.

Cities might de-link from traditional culture: Urban development has historically centred on culture. Cities without culture are just concrete and steel structures that are prone to social decay and disintegration and do not exist as vibrant living areas.

Sustainable development issues: But, the government face challenges in cities’ sustainable development. The primary challenge includes maintaining the quality of urban life, safeguarding urban identities, valuing local cultures, and promoting cultural expressions, arts, and heritage as pillars of sustainable social and economic development.

What should be done to ensure the sustainable development of cities?

A UNESCO report also highlights the interlinked role of culture in making cities more sustainable and invigorating their distinct identity. The report suggests that in order to ensure infrastructure and services are available to billions of people, decent housing must be provided, green public spaces must be created, and social unrest and epidemics must be prevented.

The current emphasis on urbanisation should include cultural elements in urban policies to ensure sustainability.

According to UN-Habitat’s “New Urban Agenda”, the focus is to make cities more sustainably developed, resilient and safe for human settlement and conducive to growth and prosperity. The New Urban Agenda must address these and other significant challenges.