City size, deprivation and other indicators of development: Evidence from India

In this paper extending the size-productivity framework we examine the nature of relationship between city size and the deprivation index developed at a highly disaggregate level of urban centres (city/town) on the basis of dwelling conditions, basic amenities and assets in possession. Further, the demographic and economic characteristics in relation to the deprivation index and city size are analysed in detail. Very large cities are endowed with better living conditions and infrastructural facilities, displaying lower magnitude of the index though this relationship is not very strong, suggesting the importance of other variables such as income, location and the overall level of urbanisation, impacting on the index value. Large cities experience agglomeration economies but they do not benefit all sections of the population equally, which in turn does not necessarily bring in proportionate decline in the deprivation index with a rise in city size. Further, other demographic and economic variables are examined in relation to the deprivation index and city size. Findings show Further, there is no marked improvement in these other indicators of development with increase in as city size increases. Greater intervention is called for to provide support in terms of housing, sanitation and water, and for other indicators of development to improve.