In the Post-Independence era, uncontrolled growth and haphazard addition of numerous housing colonies have created slums and confused functional structure in many Indian towns. Unbridled commercial expansion and the resultant snarl in traffic have compounded the problem. The city of Patna is an excellent example of this urban chaos caused by unprecedented population explosion and unplanned development. The author has analysed the temporal and spatial patterns of urban population and functions of the city of Patna in relation to its geographical setting and long history and has suggested strategies for guiding the development of the urban landscape. The study is based on original research and field work. The book will be helpful and not to only urban geographers but also to sociologists, regional planners, researchers and planners.
