Examining Urban Growth and Its Social and Economic Effects in Malda, West Bengal

Abstract

This study examines the evolving urbanization patterns in Malda District, West Bengal, and
investigates their multifaceted socioeconomic impacts from 2010 to 2023. Using a mixedmethods
approach combining demographic data analysis, satellite imagery interpretation, and
household surveys, we identify significant urban growth concentrated in English Bazar and
Old Malda municipalities, with peripheral rural areas experiencing varying degrees of
transition. The urbanization rate increased from 7.32% in 2010 to 14.87% in 2023, driven
primarily by agricultural diversification, trade expansion, and improved transportation
infrastructure. Our findings reveal that while urbanization has generated substantial economic
opportunities through employment diversification and increased per capita income (rising by
67.3% in urban centers), it has simultaneously produced concerning socioeconomic disparities.
These include increased income inequality (Gini coefficient rising from 0.31 to 0.39), uneven
access to public services, environmental degradation, and cultural transformation. The study
concludes that Malda's urbanization trajectory offers valuable insights for regional
development policy, underscoring the need for inclusive urban planning frameworks that
carefully balance growth imperatives with equitable distribution of resources and
opportunities.