For the second part of the four part series of spatial zoom ins on the trends of urbanisation in Tamil Nadu, we look into western TN.
The dynamics of urbanisation outside of Chennai's sphere of influence is seldom discussed in popular discourse. That makes the next 3 zoom ins that much more interesting to start a dialogue on the regional dynamics of urbanisation in the state.
Western Tamil Nadu has urbanised rapidly in the last 15 years as seen evidently from the maps. The region already had a strong textile processing and manufacturing industry which has matured considerably in the recent years.
The economy of the region is also diversifying recently as Coimbatore emerged as the second largest software exporter in the state. The role of private entrepreneurs in the urbanisation story of this region would be an interesting story to elucidate too.
The region of western TN has emerged organically as a polycentric regional urban structure, which could be strengthened through dedicated infrastructural investments. High speed rail connecting the urban cores or even BLR. Integrated logistics corridors.. the possibilities are ♾
This is also an environmentally sensitive region as it traverses the western/eastern ghats. Urbanisation has put a lot of pressure on this region as the land has been transformed by human influence.
A case for a cohesive regional vision becomes all the more important because of this.
Last week, we looked at the Urbanisation of the state of TN.
This week, we’ll do a series of zoom ins to understand the nature of urbanisation in different parts of Tamil Nadu, starting with Chennai, followed by Western TN, Kaveri delta and South TN.
Chennai’s urban expansion is the strongest to the west and south. While there is northward expansion, it is not as dramatic as the other two axes.
The unfettered urban expansion has already subsumed chengalpattu and thiruvallur urban cores and on its way to Kancheepuram.
Ring roads as a ‘spatial imaginary’ has been quite a hit around the world. Most large cities around the world have one.
Bypasses around many large and small towns were built in many areas when many old roads were upgraded to four-lane status in the 1930s to 1950s, leaving the old road in place to serve the town or city, but allowing through travelers to continue on a wider and faster route.
Construction of fully circumferential ring roads has generally occurred more recently, beginning in the 1960s in many areas, when the U.S. Interstate Highway System and similar-quality roads elsewhere were designed.
Maybe unpopular opinion. Please challenge and correct me if you disagree.
I think Indians at large, but also Tamil people don’t have a strong idea of citizenry. We take good care of our personal stuff, our houses and our properties within our property lines.
Anything outside that, we don’t give a shit. We clean our homes and throw the trash in front of our homes. A cm outside our compound walls are not our problem.
Is that why, we don’t care too much about the dismal standard of public services?
Everyone tries to solve the problems/deficit on their own.
Poor public transit -> let’s just get a car.
Poor security -> let’s just get a cctv
Poor water -> let’s just pay for private water/set up RO plants.
(2/n) A lot of people only have vague ideas about what they really want. They desire more money, a better job, someone to love or the chance to travel somewhere exotic.
You may have similar desires of your own. But if you want to make them a reality, you need to be precise.
3/n So rather than saying “I want money,” say, “I want exactly enough money to open a restaurant.” And when it comes to love, figure out exactly what you’re looking for. Maybe it’s someone who is funny, kind and doesn’t mind that you don’t want to have kids.