Authors: Anusha Muralidhar
Abstract: This paper discusses the socio-spatial segregation in Bengaluru, India, with particular emphasis on the erstwhile Brahmin-planned locality of Malleswaram. It uses the history of urban planning, census statistics, and recent scholarly and media research to analyse the long- term effects of caste-based zoning, economic liberalization, discriminatory real estate policies, and policy deficiencies. The paper aims to illustrate how these forces have created fractured urban geographies that concentrate privilege and marginalisation along lines of caste and class. Drawing on the example of Malleswaram, the paper attempts to bring to light stark inequalities in access to housing, infrastructure, education, and public space revealed through analysis. Even with its upscale amenities, Malleswaram is demographically homogeneous and socially exclusionary. The research suggests urban planning measures such as mixed-use development, enforcement of affordable housing percentage requirements, participatory public space retrofits, and participatory planning to promote increased integration. Finally, it contends that disassembling fixed segregation necessitates intentional policy change and inclusive design interventions towards a more equitable future city for Bengaluru.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.16604979
