An Empirical Analysis on Urban-Rural Linkage in Mumbai Metropolitan Area

Abstract

Abstract: The concept of ‘urban-rural linkage or continuum’ has been developed as a mechanism to better view and understand the inherent differences between the two terms in the field of planning and regional development. Examining consensus between the conceptual approaches in the literature and actual transforming process in some of the most dynamic and least regulated cities in the world – Mumbai metropolitan region, this paper tries to describe the increasing significance of urban-rural linkages in the livelihoods of rural residents, including spatial and occupational transformations and their interdependence on surrounding urban centers and towns. The results of the network analysis suggested the role of small and intermediate urban centers in facilitating exchange between the rural villages and towns by offering employments and markets both for farming and non-farming sectors. This also indicates that urban-rural linkages can be strengthened by the local or regional authorities which transcend traditional administrative boundaries and build an interdependent urban-rural continuum in planning and resource management practices.