Book Title: City Limits: Crisis of Urbanization
Author: Tikender Singh Panwar
Publisher: Vintage Books
Number of Pages: 256
ISBN: 067009305X
Date Published: Dec. 22, 2025
Price: INR 408
Book Review
“City Limits: Crisis of Urbanization,” edited by Tikender Singh Panwar and included in the Rethinking India series, discusses the problems caused by unplanned and uncontrolled development in Indian cities, which has worsened socioeconomic inequality and reduced quality of life. Essays by well-known authorities in urban planning and policymaking are included in this anthology, providing insights into the pressing issues that urban areas face as well as suggested fixes for building inclusive and sustainable cities.
The book assesses India’s urbanization after the 1990s, showing how this time has resulted in heightened inequality, strained ecosystems, and a waning belief in cities as democratic places. It challenges the widely held belief that cities are only hubs of economic expansion, contending that this viewpoint has produced environments that are not only exclusive but also unsustainable.
Following economic liberalization, which led to the privatization of basic services and the decline of the welfare state, “City Limits” explores the rise of the “neoliberal city” and the wealth transfer from the poor to the rich while marginalizing populations such as the homeless and migrant workers. The book argues that urban policy frameworks like public-private partnerships and smart cities exacerbate social marginalization and turn cities into instruments for corporate exploitation.
The book also advocates for the “Right to the City,” highlighting the necessity for cities to serve as community centers rather than for profit-driven enterprises and the need for fair access to urban resources. The book also promotes a rethinking of development towards inclusive and sustainable urban environments, emphasizing the value of a human-centric view of urbanization that takes community and dignity into account in the face of issues like housing shortages and climate change.
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