South Asian Cities: Informalisation of ecological and social change

Urbanisation in South Asia has increased since the turn of the century in terms of both population and build environment. This growth, though modest compared with other regions in Asia, also reflects increased diversity in the region economically, socially, and environmentally. Present and future problems related to urbanisation will be more severe in Asia than elsewhere because of continuing rapid growth of its cities and associated increases and challenges of environmental degradation, pollution, poverty, inequalities, poor water and sanitation system, deforestation, inappropriate land use, natural disasters, and urban heat island effects. South Asian urban development is generally perceived as messy and hidden, which is symptomatic of the failure to adequately address congestion constraints that arise from the pressure of urban populations on infrastructure, basic services, land, housing, employment, and the environment. These problems are further exacerbated by informalisation of jobs, housing shortage and unaffordability, and ecological footprint. Set against these macro contexts, this chapter explores the informalisation of urban South Asia and its trends, especially in light of the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations and the disruptions of COVID-19.