URBANIZATION AND HOUSING: State, Market and Consumer

This book aims at understanding the complex process of urbanization, the end-result of transformative initiatives of the state with respect to urbanization-driven-crisis of ‘affordable housing’ in particular and negotiation of the consumers with fraudulent practices in urban housing market in globalizing Indian society. Under changing social conditions, not only has the urban space become subject to critical contest but the rural land also is being transformed into urban space for more ‘productive’ use. Intense drive towards remaking the cities tends to ruin the promise of an ‘inclusive city’. Aggressive efforts towards ‘commodification of rural land’ often turn disastrous for thousands. The end-result of state-intervention to improve the state of urban housing does not allow to become contented. The vulnerability of the consumers to fraudulent practices in urban housing market has rather become ‘widespread and deep’, with implications for ‘consumer justice’.

Contents
1 Remaking Urban India: Some Reflections
2 State and Urban Housing: Policies, Priorities and Progress
3 Consumerism in India: Evolution and Recent Trends
4 Urban Housing Market: Vulnerability and Choices of Consumers