Remembering Dr. Fazlur Rahman Faridi (1932–2011)!!! A distinguished Islamic scholar, economist, and intellectual, Dr. Faridi’s journey is deeply tied to Aligarh Muslim University (AMU). Born in Jaunpur in 1932, he pursued his higher education at AMU and AU, earning his B. A and M.A. in Economics from Allahabad University and later his Ph.D from AMU.. He went on to serve as a Professor in the Department of Economics at AMU, where he inspired generations of students with his scholarship and vision.
Career Highlights & Stats: – Alma Mater: Aligarh Muslim University and Allahabad University
– Professor of Economics, AMU – taught for over three decades – Authored numerous books and articles on Islamic economics, finance, and social thought – Served as Editor of Zindagi-e-Nau, a leading Urdu monthly journal – Recognized as one of the foremost voices in Islamic economics and intellectual reform in South Asia – Passed away in 2019, leaving behind a legacy of scholarship and service
Dr. Faridi embodied the Aligarian spirit of intellect, reform, and service to society, making his contributions a proud chapter in AMU’s academic and cultural heritage. His works continue to inspire students, researchers, and readers across the world.
Let us honour his memory and celebrate his role in enriching AMU’s intellectual tradition.
Urbanisation is the Greatest Project of Humanity.Our century is the Urban Century. Soon the world will become a giant urban system. Urbanization and the fast growth of cities and towns have become one of the major characteristics of the present century. Urban life is now way of life of modern man.
The Third Urbanization, a term frequently used in urban studies in India, refers to the rapid growth of urban settlements and cities throughout India beginning in the colonial period and continuing through to today (post-independence). The Third Urbanization is distinct from the two previously-recognized phases of urbanization in India.
Rise of cities in the Mahajanapada period and the Maurya Empire. Growth of trade, iron technology, states, and religious centres such as Pataliputra and Varanasi.
Third Urbanisation
Late 18th century to present (especially after 1947)
Industrialization, colonial influence, planned development, metropolitan expansion, migration, globalization, and the emergence of smart cities.
The Third Urbanisation represents the current form of urbanisation and the continuous development of urban centres that began in the colonial period and dramatically increased after the independence of India in 1947. The unparalleled rate of urbanisation in India since the late 18th century will primarily be attributed to the introduction of industrialisation, improvements in transport infrastructure, and the progressive economic liberalisation and globalisation of India, along with continued large-scale rural-urban migration.
Information and communication and technology-driven service industries.
Improvements in built environment infrastructure (highways, mass transit systems, airports).
Positive consequences include:
The economy is expanding and creating jobs.
Higher standards of education and healthcare.
Significant localized improvements in infrastructure (e.g., transportation, utilities, and city amenities).
Innovation in technology will enable cities’ economies to grow, making them more productive and competitive.
Increased connections to each other, the region, and the world.
Negative consequences include:
Significantly congesting cities.
Housing shortages continue to increase.
Proliferation of informal settlements.
Air and water pollution.
Declining urban biodiversity
Increased urban heat islands.
Severe traffic congestion.
Growing inequality and socio-spatial separation.
Vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change.
Many scholars believe India is now at a new stage of the Third Urbanisation. The new stage includes:
Metropolitan regions growing larger than single cities.
Peri-urban areas expanding.
Development of regional urban corridors (e.g., Delhi-Mumbai industrial corridor).
Digital and smart forms of urban governance.
Urban planning that is resilient to climate change and sustainable.
Increased usage of GIS, remote sensing, and geo-spatial technologies in the management of urban areas.
Although the Third Urbanisation is not yet universally defined, scholars have not yet reached consensus on how to define the concept. For example, some scholars may define the Third Urbanisation as the transitional stage from colonial cities to post-colonial cities. Conversely, other scholars may argue that the Third Urbanisation is limited only to the urban transformation occurring at an accelerated pace after the economic liberalization of 1991. In contrast, contemporary studies have begun to focus on:
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