Transformation Journey of Gurugram: Environmental and Governance Challenges

Abstract

This research paper intends to examine Gurugram's evolution from an Agricultural Landscape to a Global Urban Center, focusing particularly on the transformation of its urban villages within the development framework. The study analyzes data spanning from 1990 to 2023, incorporating land use changes, housing statistics, and development patterns across multiple Master Plans. Analysis reveals dramatic shifts in urban-rural population ratios, from 38.59% urban in 1991 to a projected 95.25% by 2021. The city's housing stock of 5,23,691 census houses shows complex occupancy patterns, with 81.27% occupied and 18.73% vacant, while land use changes indicate built-up area expansion from 623.95 hectares in 1990 to 7,336.69 hectares by 2017. The research examines the integration of 93 villages within the Gurgaon-Manesar Urban Complex (GMUC) 2031 Plan, highlighting challenges in managing traditional settlements within a rapidly modernizing urban framework.