Emergence and Spatial Dynamics of Census Towns in Ranchi District: A Study of Peri-urban Transformation

Abstract Demography plays a very crucial role in the emergence of census towns. The key factors that influence the classification of an area as Census towns (CT) are the population size, composition and distribution. Urbanization and migration continue to shape the communities and demography provides insights into the dynamics of these areas. Demography is intricately linked to the emergence of census towns, shaping their identity, growth and development. Therefore, the behavior of human population to certain socio-economic factors needs to be studied in detail. This paper attempts to critically examine the role of the population in the emergence of Census towns in Ranchi district which further contributes in the development of the region. The CT’s play a major role in the process of Urbanization. Additionally, this paper also attempts to explain the reason that leads to the development of Census towns in Ranchi district. Keywords: Census towns (CT’s), Demography, Urbanization, Spatial dynamics