Synergizing student led networks and flows in an urban area: a case of Mukherjee nagar Delhi

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.