Abstract:
Studentification describes as process in which high numbers of students migrate to
established residential neighbourhoods displacing ‘settled’ residents. This initiates
distinct spatial, economic, cultural, and social effects. Unrelated individuals and groups
start staying together in shared accommodation, with young, co-habiting students
changing local environments, building typologies, and bringing new subculture and
lifestyle.
In India, working professionals and students migrate to prepare for entrance
examinations or pursue higher education of various professional and educational
courses or recruitment examinations. Students either live in hostel or paying guest
accommodation. The phenomenon of displacement of communities from
neighbourhoods creates conflicts and contestations for space. The study area,
Mukherjee Nagar neighbourhood has gone through these changes due to the
presence of coaching institutions and due to the insufficient and inadequate
accommodation facilities for the influx of students. The area has seen significant
architectural, sociological, demographic, and economic changes because of this
phenomenon residential fabric and social life have been severely impacted. Not only
new buildings, but also the use of pre-existing constructed fabric, are affected. All of
this has resulted in cramped living quarters as well as a decrease in the
neighbourhood’s overall space quality and the reputation has shifted dramatically from
a luxury neighbourhood to a hostel-based economy colony.
By synergizing the network and flows of the students in the neighbourhood through
identifying the strong networks within the study area will ensure development of
students, mitigation of contestation and it will initiate the process of study area
becoming a knowledge society while retaining its vibrancy.
