Vol. 3, Issue 1, Part L (2017)

Abstract
Urbanization in West Bengal is distinguished by the ceaseless concentration of population and specialized miscellaneous economic activities in class I cities (more than 100,000 population). Kolkata and its periphery are the thrust of West Bengal’s urbanization. The result of the study shows that more than half (56 percent) of the population resided in class I cities in 1951. It grew from 70% in 1991 to 75% in 2001 but in 2011 it has declined to 62%. Bordering districts of Kolkata share a high percentage of the population as well as an ample number of class I cities in comparison to secluded districts from Kolkata. The rate of change of the population in Kolkata has enthusiastically downturned over the decennials. Lorenz curve and Gini Coefficient presented very few districts note an immense population and more districts share a small population in class I cities. Location Quotient also shows a high concentration of class I city population in a couple of districts.