Routledge Beyond Kolkata: Rajarhat and the Dystopia of Urban Imagination

Explore the complex reality of modern urban development with Beyond Kolkata: Rajarhat and the Dystopia of Urban Imagination. Published by Routledge, this book provides a deep look into the creation of the new township near Kolkata, known variously as New Town, Megacity, or Jyoti Basu Nagar. Conceived by the West Bengal state government in the mid-1990s, the project was designed to meet the goals of urban planners looking to build a hi-tech town away from the crowded center of Kolkata. This work examines the socio-economic and ecological consequences of this massive undertaking. It looks at how the project was shaped by the needs of realtors and developers, while also addressing the heavy costs involved. The narrative investigates the foundations of the city, including issues of state largesse, corruption, and coercive land acquisition. For students and readers interested in anthropology, sociology, and urban studies, this book offers a serious analysis of how modern cities are built and the impact these changes have on the existing landscape and communities.