Regional Science Association International, Apr 1, 2024
Rapid urbanization in developing nations like India has exacerbated urban poverty, with prolifera... more Rapid urbanization in developing nations like India has exacerbated urban poverty, with proliferation of slum households. These vulnerable urban settings, with high density and asymmetric availability/accessibility of water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), provide an amicable ambience for the transmission of contagious diseases. Considering this, geographical targeting and mapping of vulnerable urban groups have emerged as pivotal strategies in mitigating the spread of COVID-19 and similar contagions, as endorsed by both the World Health Organization and the World Bank. The asymmetries in WASH provisions across slum households and other lowincome areas were brought into sharper focus during COVID-19, revealing the potential for the spread of similar contagions in future. In this context, we employed Multi-Criteria Analysis (MCA), considering the parameters of physical distancing and WASH provisions in slums, to develop a COVID-19 risk index and map risk zones within the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) area. The analysis has been further substantiated through Focused Group Discussions (FGDs) carried out across fifty slums in different risk zones of the KMC to underscore the vulnerability of these areas in the face of pandemics. Our findings highlight the dire situation of slum dwellers, who remain highly susceptible to contagions like COVID-19 due to inadequate access to clean water, sanitation, and physical distancing measures. These revelations prompt critical questions on achieving the targets of Sustainable Development Goals and stress the urgent need for geographical targeting and tailoring of placespecific policies to foster sustainable cities and safeguard the 'right to the city' for these vulnerable sections.
Transactions of the Institute of Indian Geographers , 2021
Big cities are highly complex spatial units and have diverse subpopulations and neighborhoods wit... more Big cities are highly complex spatial units and have diverse subpopulations and neighborhoods with different sociocultural needs and vulnerable groups concerning public health emergencies, such as COVID-19. When these cities face an epidemic that spreads rapidly within the urban community, then human density and the urban setting have proven to be a tremendous liability and a matter of concern. The present study in this context is a preliminary attempt to understand the COVID-19 pandemic in the Indian context. The paper presents a city-level study of 46 million-plus cities in India to identify major determining factors (demographic, economic, environmental, infrastructural, and institutional interventions) of the COVID-19 infection and related deaths in different lockdown and unlock phases. Using the multiple regression model we found that the impact of these factors does significantly explains the variation in the COVID-19 infections and related deaths. However, the role of individual indicators does seem to have a differential impact across phases of the lockdown strategy. Indicators, such as GDP, hospital-doctor ratio, public transport usage, and administrative status of the city have been found to be the most significant factors influencing COVID-19 cases and deaths. On the other hand, co-morbidities do not appear as consistent significant factors, while the much-debated density parameter plays an insignificant role in the Indian big cities. We would like to emphasize that the results are at best indicative in nature, and for an in-depth understanding of each of these factors and spatial complexity, we require further detailed analysis at a more disaggregated level.
With the economic foundations of nations cruising through the pandemic's cataclysm, various econo... more With the economic foundations of nations cruising through the pandemic's cataclysm, various economic sectors have been severely impacted. The pandemic lockdown has also had a significant impact on the transportation and mobility sector, which is one of the most important aspects of a developing country like India. The three largest urban agglomerations in India, which boast a highly developed web of transportation arteries, have undoubtedly formed one of the major facilitators of the system of flows and associated metropolitan growth, but they have also seen the steepest increase in COVID-19 cases.Given the gravity of the situation, certain concepts in contemporary urban planning that draw from the neoliberal agenda of development are currently on a tilting edifice. As global lockdown restrictions are gradually lifted in order to return to the "new normal," the traditional mobility pattern in urban spaces has undergone some changes. The empirical findings of this study show that, while mobility patterns to various locations in the city core have almost stagnated, the periphery regions have witnessed a rather vibrant pattern, indicating the possibility of a vibrant economy flourishing in the peri-urban districts of these major urban agglomerations.
Indian Journal of Landscape Systems and Ecological Studies, 2019
In the present day, city revitalization has become one of the prime elements in urban studies. Ho... more In the present day, city revitalization has become one of the prime elements in urban studies. However, a multitude of approaches are embedded in the term "city revitalization" like redevelopment, rehabilitation and conservation. In line with this concept, a case study of the revitalization of the walled city of Delhi from the perspective of redevelopment has been undertaken in this research work that specifically attempts to portray the myriad of transformations contingent upon the redevelopment work of the city in progress. At the same time, it also tries to delve meticulously into the planning framework of the city and the associated governance challenges faced in the process of redevelopment.
Radical Statistics 126 (2020) Coronavirus Special Issue, 2020
Mobility (human) led to the spread of infectious diseases that pose severe risks to global health... more Mobility (human) led to the spread of infectious diseases that pose severe risks to global health, and several countries in response to such pandemic threats consider and enforce measures that restrict human mobility as one of their response plans. Such approaches are often considered controversial. India is the second-most populous country in the world with more than 1.3 billion people, hence the potential impact of the COVID-19is catastrophic. The first COVID-19case was reported on January 30th, 2020 and prime minister Narendra Modi has imposed a nationwide lockdown on March, 24th (world's largest) for three weeks, subsequently it was extended till May 3rd. Urban areas with a high magnitude of international and national mobility have emerged as the main node of diffusion. In the case of COVID-19-19, an increase in cases has a direct relationship with mobility at different scales, and hence we tried to capture this trend with the limited available data on mobility. Preliminary results reveal that the lockdown was effective in reducing mobility, and urbanization and accessibility do have a role to play in the spread of the virus. Further, results indicate that states with high urbanization and accessibility (for example, Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Delhi) have registered a steep rise in the number of cases across different phases of the lockdown. Major cities have emerged as hotbeds and a sharp fall in mobility is seen since the imposition of nationwide lockdown.
Health and Sanitation could be considered as the most vital aspects determining not only the qual... more Health and Sanitation could be considered as the most vital aspects determining not only the quality of life enjoyed by a person but also the longevity. The rapid booming of population in metropolitan cities owing to influx of rural immigrants is no doubt an ominous prelude to deterioration in the health and sanitation conditions of the dwellers; the most affected of whom are those residing in slums. Imbalance in the rate of urban development and migration to cities has invariably led to rapid proliferation of slums characterized by poverty, malnutrition and illiteracy. Slums are the areas of broad social and health disadvantage hardships like high unemployment, violence, crime, malnutrition, hazard prone etc. In the context of these, an attempt has been made to assess the health and sanitation conditions of some sampled slums located in Kolkata Metropolitan Area, and at the same time delve into the factors that are most instrumental in determining it, followed by chalking down some suggestions following a bottom up approach through community participation to bring about improvement in the health and sanitation conditions of the slums. Prevalence Rate of Chronic Diseases, Frequency of General Diseases, Children born underweight {in percentage), Maternal Age at first delivery, Average Medical Expenses per Household per month and Garbage Clearance Frequency and the parameters are quantitatively examined using techniques like composite score in order to rank the surveyed slums on the basis of the health and sanitation status.
Indian Journal of Landscape Systems and Ecological Studies, 2018
A village mirrors the intricacies that are associated with caste and occupation. However, over th... more A village mirrors the intricacies that are associated with caste and occupation. However, over the years this marked relation between caste and occupation has broken down as the essence of modernization has crept in. In context of these, Audali village from Udham Singh Nagar District of Uttarakhand has been chosen to analyze the trend of occupational change among the social groups; and therefore, delve into the reasons that are so much instrumental in these changes. Research analysis have reflected that the general trend of occupational mobility is mainly from the agricultural to the manufacturing sector, which is much in tune with the notion of rural transformation.
Regional Science Association International, Apr 1, 2024
Rapid urbanization in developing nations like India has exacerbated urban poverty, with prolifera... more Rapid urbanization in developing nations like India has exacerbated urban poverty, with proliferation of slum households. These vulnerable urban settings, with high density and asymmetric availability/accessibility of water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), provide an amicable ambience for the transmission of contagious diseases. Considering this, geographical targeting and mapping of vulnerable urban groups have emerged as pivotal strategies in mitigating the spread of COVID-19 and similar contagions, as endorsed by both the World Health Organization and the World Bank. The asymmetries in WASH provisions across slum households and other lowincome areas were brought into sharper focus during COVID-19, revealing the potential for the spread of similar contagions in future. In this context, we employed Multi-Criteria Analysis (MCA), considering the parameters of physical distancing and WASH provisions in slums, to develop a COVID-19 risk index and map risk zones within the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) area. The analysis has been further substantiated through Focused Group Discussions (FGDs) carried out across fifty slums in different risk zones of the KMC to underscore the vulnerability of these areas in the face of pandemics. Our findings highlight the dire situation of slum dwellers, who remain highly susceptible to contagions like COVID-19 due to inadequate access to clean water, sanitation, and physical distancing measures. These revelations prompt critical questions on achieving the targets of Sustainable Development Goals and stress the urgent need for geographical targeting and tailoring of placespecific policies to foster sustainable cities and safeguard the 'right to the city' for these vulnerable sections.
Transactions of the Institute of Indian Geographers , 2021
Big cities are highly complex spatial units and have diverse subpopulations and neighborhoods wit... more Big cities are highly complex spatial units and have diverse subpopulations and neighborhoods with different sociocultural needs and vulnerable groups concerning public health emergencies, such as COVID-19. When these cities face an epidemic that spreads rapidly within the urban community, then human density and the urban setting have proven to be a tremendous liability and a matter of concern. The present study in this context is a preliminary attempt to understand the COVID-19 pandemic in the Indian context. The paper presents a city-level study of 46 million-plus cities in India to identify major determining factors (demographic, economic, environmental, infrastructural, and institutional interventions) of the COVID-19 infection and related deaths in different lockdown and unlock phases. Using the multiple regression model we found that the impact of these factors does significantly explains the variation in the COVID-19 infections and related deaths. However, the role of individual indicators does seem to have a differential impact across phases of the lockdown strategy. Indicators, such as GDP, hospital-doctor ratio, public transport usage, and administrative status of the city have been found to be the most significant factors influencing COVID-19 cases and deaths. On the other hand, co-morbidities do not appear as consistent significant factors, while the much-debated density parameter plays an insignificant role in the Indian big cities. We would like to emphasize that the results are at best indicative in nature, and for an in-depth understanding of each of these factors and spatial complexity, we require further detailed analysis at a more disaggregated level.
With the economic foundations of nations cruising through the pandemic's cataclysm, various econo... more With the economic foundations of nations cruising through the pandemic's cataclysm, various economic sectors have been severely impacted. The pandemic lockdown has also had a significant impact on the transportation and mobility sector, which is one of the most important aspects of a developing country like India. The three largest urban agglomerations in India, which boast a highly developed web of transportation arteries, have undoubtedly formed one of the major facilitators of the system of flows and associated metropolitan growth, but they have also seen the steepest increase in COVID-19 cases.Given the gravity of the situation, certain concepts in contemporary urban planning that draw from the neoliberal agenda of development are currently on a tilting edifice. As global lockdown restrictions are gradually lifted in order to return to the "new normal," the traditional mobility pattern in urban spaces has undergone some changes. The empirical findings of this study show that, while mobility patterns to various locations in the city core have almost stagnated, the periphery regions have witnessed a rather vibrant pattern, indicating the possibility of a vibrant economy flourishing in the peri-urban districts of these major urban agglomerations.
Indian Journal of Landscape Systems and Ecological Studies, 2019
In the present day, city revitalization has become one of the prime elements in urban studies. Ho... more In the present day, city revitalization has become one of the prime elements in urban studies. However, a multitude of approaches are embedded in the term "city revitalization" like redevelopment, rehabilitation and conservation. In line with this concept, a case study of the revitalization of the walled city of Delhi from the perspective of redevelopment has been undertaken in this research work that specifically attempts to portray the myriad of transformations contingent upon the redevelopment work of the city in progress. At the same time, it also tries to delve meticulously into the planning framework of the city and the associated governance challenges faced in the process of redevelopment.
Radical Statistics 126 (2020) Coronavirus Special Issue, 2020
Mobility (human) led to the spread of infectious diseases that pose severe risks to global health... more Mobility (human) led to the spread of infectious diseases that pose severe risks to global health, and several countries in response to such pandemic threats consider and enforce measures that restrict human mobility as one of their response plans. Such approaches are often considered controversial. India is the second-most populous country in the world with more than 1.3 billion people, hence the potential impact of the COVID-19is catastrophic. The first COVID-19case was reported on January 30th, 2020 and prime minister Narendra Modi has imposed a nationwide lockdown on March, 24th (world's largest) for three weeks, subsequently it was extended till May 3rd. Urban areas with a high magnitude of international and national mobility have emerged as the main node of diffusion. In the case of COVID-19-19, an increase in cases has a direct relationship with mobility at different scales, and hence we tried to capture this trend with the limited available data on mobility. Preliminary results reveal that the lockdown was effective in reducing mobility, and urbanization and accessibility do have a role to play in the spread of the virus. Further, results indicate that states with high urbanization and accessibility (for example, Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Delhi) have registered a steep rise in the number of cases across different phases of the lockdown. Major cities have emerged as hotbeds and a sharp fall in mobility is seen since the imposition of nationwide lockdown.
Health and Sanitation could be considered as the most vital aspects determining not only the qual... more Health and Sanitation could be considered as the most vital aspects determining not only the quality of life enjoyed by a person but also the longevity. The rapid booming of population in metropolitan cities owing to influx of rural immigrants is no doubt an ominous prelude to deterioration in the health and sanitation conditions of the dwellers; the most affected of whom are those residing in slums. Imbalance in the rate of urban development and migration to cities has invariably led to rapid proliferation of slums characterized by poverty, malnutrition and illiteracy. Slums are the areas of broad social and health disadvantage hardships like high unemployment, violence, crime, malnutrition, hazard prone etc. In the context of these, an attempt has been made to assess the health and sanitation conditions of some sampled slums located in Kolkata Metropolitan Area, and at the same time delve into the factors that are most instrumental in determining it, followed by chalking down some suggestions following a bottom up approach through community participation to bring about improvement in the health and sanitation conditions of the slums. Prevalence Rate of Chronic Diseases, Frequency of General Diseases, Children born underweight {in percentage), Maternal Age at first delivery, Average Medical Expenses per Household per month and Garbage Clearance Frequency and the parameters are quantitatively examined using techniques like composite score in order to rank the surveyed slums on the basis of the health and sanitation status.
Indian Journal of Landscape Systems and Ecological Studies, 2018
A village mirrors the intricacies that are associated with caste and occupation. However, over th... more A village mirrors the intricacies that are associated with caste and occupation. However, over the years this marked relation between caste and occupation has broken down as the essence of modernization has crept in. In context of these, Audali village from Udham Singh Nagar District of Uttarakhand has been chosen to analyze the trend of occupational change among the social groups; and therefore, delve into the reasons that are so much instrumental in these changes. Research analysis have reflected that the general trend of occupational mobility is mainly from the agricultural to the manufacturing sector, which is much in tune with the notion of rural transformation.
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Papers by Aisharya Bhattacharjee