Still, South Asia’s share of the global economy remains strikingly low relative to its share of the world’s urban population, and, in general, urbanization in the region remains underleveraged. The share of the region’s population officially classified as living in urban settlements increased only marginally from 27.4 percent in 2000 to 30.9 percent in 2011. In Sri Lanka’s case, the share of the population officially classified as living in urban areas actually fell slightly between 2000 and 2010.
These official statistics, however, miss considerable “hidden” urbanization. As much as one-third of Sri Lanka’s population may be living in areas that, while not officially classified as urban, nevertheless possess strong urban characteristics. Analysis of night-time lights data in the report also reveals a more general growth of multi-city agglomerations – continuously lit belts of urbanization containing two or more sizeable cities – across South Asia from 37 in 1999 to 45 in 2010. In Sri Lanka, ribbon development radiates out from Colombo along major transport arteries to link it with both Kandy and Galle/Matara, revealing a dynamic urbanization process, the report said. (SH)
Fibre2Fashion News Desk – India