Beyond Cities: Understanding Kerala’s Polycentric and People-Oriented Urbanisation

Author(s)	Dr. ARCHANA ARAVINDAN, Prof. Dr. SURESH V N
Country	India
Abstract	This study integrates historical, descriptive, and empirical analyses to examine Kerala’s unique pattern of urbanisation. Drawing from Census data (1901–2011) and predictive modelling, it combines the spatial and demographic insights of prior studies with statistical trend and regression analyses to project urbanisation trajectories up to 2061. The findings reveal Kerala’s distinctive urbanisation model driven by administrative reclassification, human development, and service-sector growth rather than industrialisation or in-migration. Kerala’s urbanisation rate is projected to reach 46.66% by 2061 compared to India’s 38.63%. This study offers evidence of decentralised, polycentric growth, highlighting district-level disparities and emerging challenges such as slum proliferation and uneven infrastructural expansion. Policy implications emphasise sustainable, inclusive, and regionally balanced urban development strategies.
Keywords	Urbanisation, Kerala, Census Towns, Slum Dynamics, Forecasting, Regression Analysis, Sustainable Development
Field	Mathematics > Economy / Commerce
Published In	Volume 7, Issue 6, November-December 2025
Published On	2025-11-15
DOI	https://doi.org/10.36948/ijfmr.2025.v07i06.60745

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