Que. Why do large cities tend to attract more migrants than smaller towns? Discuss in the light of conditions in developing countries.

छोटे शहरों की तुलना में बड़े शहर अधिक प्रवासियों को क्यों आकर्षित करते हैं? विकासशील देशों की स्थितियों के आलोक में इसकी विवेचना कीजिए।  

Structure of the Answer

(i) Introduction: Contextualize with key factors such as economic opportunities and infrastructure driving migration to large cities in developing nations.

(ii) Main Body: Analyze economic, infrastructural, and social reasons behind migration trends, while critically addressing the challenges large cities face in accommodating migrants.

(iii) Conclusion: Summarize the need for balanced regional growth to mitigate migration pressure on cities and enhance smaller towns’ development.

Introduction

Large cities in developing countries attract migrants due to their extensive economic opportunities, superior infrastructure, and greater access to social services. Compared to smaller towns, these urban centers provide better prospects for employment, education, healthcare, and upward social mobility, driving continuous migration.

Economic Opportunities in Large Cities

(i) Diverse Employment Ecosystem: Large cities host a wide range of employment opportunities in industries, services, and IT sectors. For example, “Bengaluru’s tech industry” attracts skilled professionals, while “Mumbai’s financial services” cater to various sectors.

(ii) Higher Wages and Better Job Security: Urban areas offer higher salaries and relatively more job security compared to small towns or rural areas. “Gurgaon’s IT hubs” provide lucrative opportunities for skilled workers, leading to massive migration from northern states.

(iii) Informal Economy Growth: The informal sector in large cities, such as street vending or gig economy jobs with platforms like “Swiggy and Uber”, provides low-skilled workers with income, although with limited security and benefits.

(iv) Entrepreneurial and Business Ecosystems: Large cities offer fertile grounds for startups and SMEs due to better market access and financial institutions, as seen in “Hyderabad’s rise as a startup hub”, attracting talent and investment from smaller regions.

(v) Diverse Service Sector Jobs: The service sector in metropolises like “Delhi and Mumbai” generates significant employment, not only for professionals but also for low-wage workers in logistics, retail, and hospitality.

Superior Infrastructure and Social Services

(i) Educational Institutions and Skilled Migration: Universities and technical institutes in cities draw students who eventually settle in these areas for work. The presence of “IIT Delhi, IIT Bombay, and IIM Ahmedabad” pulls a large number of migrants seeking education and professional growth.

(ii) Advanced Healthcare Facilities: Cities have more advanced healthcare infrastructure. Migrants often move for better medical treatment, as in the case of “Chennai,” known for its super-specialty hospitals that attract patients from across the country.

(iii) Public Transport and Connectivity: Efficient public transport systems such as the “Delhi Metro” or “Mumbai Suburban Railway” enable better connectivity, making commuting easier for migrants, thus supporting the influx of workers who depend on affordable transport.

(iv) Access to Urban Amenities: Cities provide essential amenities like reliable electricity, sanitation, and clean water. Although uneven, these services remain more accessible compared to smaller towns. The “Smart Cities Mission” is an example of ongoing improvements.

(v) Urban Planning and Housing Policies: Urban planning initiatives, though limited in scope, try to address the housing needs of the poor through programs like “PMAY-Urban”, which targets affordable housing for low-income migrant workers in cities like “Ahmedabad.”

Social Mobility and Networking Opportunities

(i) Migration Networks and Family Ties: Migrants often follow established networks, moving to places where family or community members have already settled, which facilitates job placement and social integration. For example, “Punjabi migrant networks” in cities like “Delhi” provide crucial support to newcomers.

(ii) Cultural Diversity and Inclusivity: Large cities offer a melting pot of cultures, languages, and social groups, fostering inclusivity and offering migrants a greater sense of belonging. “Mumbai’s cosmopolitan atmosphere” reflects this diversity, which attracts people from different regions. 

(iii) Urban Migration as a Path to Social Mobility: Migrants view cities as places where they can move up the social ladder through education, employment, and better access to resources. For example, many low-skilled laborers who migrate to “Bangalore’s tech-driven economy” eventually improve their quality of life.

(iv) Better Access to Welfare Schemes: Urban migrants benefit from better delivery of government schemes, such as urban employment under “MGNREGA” and “PDS” distribution systems, which are more efficiently managed in metropolitan areas than in smaller towns.

(v) Gender Empowerment in Urban Areas: Migration has enabled more women to enter the workforce in cities like “Bengaluru”, particularly in garment manufacturing and service sectors, promoting gender equality and empowerment.

Critical Challenges of Migration to Large Cities

(i) Overburdened Infrastructure: Large-scale migration overwhelms urban infrastructure, leading to challenges such as traffic congestion, inadequate housing, and water shortages. For instance, “Mumbai’s slum areas” house millions of migrants in substandard living conditions.

(ii) Widening Socio-economic Divide: While cities offer opportunities, they also exacerbate inequalities, with high-income groups benefiting disproportionately. Migrants in “Delhi’s informal sector” struggle with low wages and lack of job security.

(iii) Environmental Degradation: Rapid urbanization contributes to environmental problems such as pollution and waste management issues. “Delhi’s air pollution crisis” is exacerbated by population growth, increased vehicles, and lack of green spaces.

(iv) Lack of Social Integration: Migrants often face discrimination and are relegated to ghettos or informal settlements, affecting their integration into the urban fabric. The segregation of “North Indian migrants in Mumbai” is a notable example.

(v) Policy Gaps in Smaller Towns: The failure to develop smaller towns as viable economic hubs continues to force migration to large cities. Despite schemes like “AMRUT”, many smaller towns lag behind in terms of infrastructure and services, reinforcing migration trends.

Way Forward

(i) Strengthening Small and Medium Towns’ Economic Base: Governments should focus on promoting industries and services in small towns through incentives like “Make in India” and “Startup India” to create localized jobs and prevent excessive migration.

(ii) Balanced Infrastructure Development: Upgrading infrastructure in smaller towns, especially in healthcare, education, and transport, can make them more attractive. Initiatives like the “Smart Cities Mission” should be expanded to smaller towns.

(iii) Affordable Housing Policies: Ensuring affordable housing through better urban planning and public-private partnerships, as demonstrated by the “Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY)”, is essential to accommodate both rural and urban migrants.

(iv) Decentralized Governance: Strengthening governance at the municipal level in smaller towns through increased autonomy and budgetary allocations can help them manage migration more efficiently.

(v) Targeted Welfare Programs for Migrants: Programs like “One Nation, One Ration Card” must be extended to cover urban migrants, ensuring food security and healthcare access regardless of where they migrate.

Conclusion

While large cities provide economic and social opportunities that attract migrants, they also face significant challenges in managing this influx. To reduce the pressure on large cities, it is crucial to develop smaller towns as sustainable alternatives for migration.