The greatest advantage of Howrah, the twin city of Kolkata, on the western bank of the river Hooghly, is its location. This helped it flourish as an industrial town and a transport node. During the colonial period, Howrah flourished as a centre for diverse industries; but post-independence planning for balanced industrial growth of the country and later the new economic policies wiped away most of the advantages it had as a manufacturing centre and industrial growth pole. It retained, however, its premier position as an important transport hub and is now re-emerging as a logistics centre. Unplanned urbanization, the decline of industries, lack of civic and other amenities as well as the impact of a growing population had marked the decline of Howrah. However, a new Howrah, buoyed by market forces is straining to break out.
Urban Development in Howrah: Socio-Economic Perspectives is the first comprehensive effort to understand and analyse the various aspects of the urban development of the district and the city as well as its economy, transport, environment and its future prospects. This volume will be of immense value to the policymakers, researchers and students working on urban issues and area studies.