Urban Development and Administration

Cities play a major role in economic growth of the country, employment generation and nation building. To achieve these goals the urban areas must have access to good infrastructure, adequate finance system and effective administrative and management system. But, unfortunately, current, urban local bodies in India are suffering from weak planning and inadequate infrastructure, weak financial and revenue base, conflicting vested political interests and high degree of corruption, lack of professionalism in managing the services, and lack of accountability within and outside the system. The book contains a set of 17 articles into four sections, i.e., Urban development: An Overview, Municipal Finance, Urban Sanitation and Slum Upagradation and Housing for Urban Poor. Some of the articles are old but have been included to reflect the thinking and practice of that time as also how things have evolved over time. The volume editors have tried to trace the history of urban development in India and Rajasthan from British period down to Modern Times. The problems of urban sector in India in general and in Rajasthan in particular have been highlighted, the efforts being made in the sector have been described and the urgent need for institutional and financial sector reforms has been emphasized. Among the contributors figure eminent academicians and practitioners in the field of Urban development. This book will prove to be a useful resource for all those interested in urban administration as also for students and faculty pursuing urban studies and for trainees, trainers and training institutions. It would also serve as a helpful initiator for those wishing to familiarize themselves with the discipline.