If one goes by the data from Census 2011, India had a relatively small proportion — just 31% — of its population living in urban areas. Other comparable economies had much higher levels of urbanization. For instance, China had 45 per cent, Indonesia had 54 per cent, and Brazil had 87 per cent of its population in urban areas.
However, some argue that India might be severely underestimating its urban population because of how it defines urban areas.
Regardless of whether one believes that India still lives in its villages or one believes that India is already living in its cities, there is no getting away from the fact that an urgent focus on the development of cities is of critical importance if India is to achieve its potential as a country.
To make sense of India's urbanization, The Indian Express and the Omidyar Network India are organizing a series of multi-city events that will take a hard look at the mains hurdles holding back Indian cities.
Each edition will feature subject experts, policymakers and prominent citizens to not just bring alive the challenges, but also point to solutions.
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