Mumbai: Rapid Growth and Structure

Mumbai's growth from a collection of seven islands to a megacity of over 22 million people is one of the most dramatic urban transformations in history. This lesson examines when, why and how Mumbai grew, the spatial structure of the city, its transport networks, and the critical distinction between the formal and informal economies that define life for millions of Mumbaikars. This detailed understanding is essential for the Edexcel B case study.

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Population Growth Timeline

Mumbai's population has grown at different rates during different periods, each driven by distinct factors:

Period	Population Change	Key Drivers
1850–1900	0.5m → 0.8m	Cotton textile mills; port development; railway construction
1900–1947	0.8m → 2.3m	Expansion of industry; migration from rural Maharashtra; colonial infrastructure investment
1947–1971	2.3m → 5.9m	Post-independence migration; Partition refugees (1947); industrial growth
1971–1991	5.9m → 9.9m	Continued industrial migration; IT sector emerging; natural increase accelerating
1991–2011	9.9m → 12.5m (city) / 20.7m (metro)	Economic liberalisation (1991); service sector boom; IT/finance growth; migration from across India
2011–2023	12.5m → ~13m (city) / ~22m (metro)	Slowing city growth; expansion into MMR; Navi Mumbai growing rapidly

Key Turning Points

1. 1853 — India's first railway: The first passenger railway in India ran from Bombay to Thane (34 km). Railways enabled workers to commute and facilitated trade, accelerating urban growth.

2. 1869 — Suez Canal opens: Bombay's position on India's west coast made it the nearest major Indian port to Europe via the Suez Canal. The city became India's primary gateway for international trade.

3. 1947 — Indian independence: Partition created millions of refugees, many of whom settled in Bombay. The city also became a magnet for migrants from across the new nation.

4. 1991 — Economic liberalisation: India opened its economy to foreign investment and reduced trade barriers. Mumbai, as the financial capital, benefited enormously. The IT sector boomed, the stock market expanded, and TNCs established Indian headquarters in the city.

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Migration Drivers

Mumbai attracts migrants from across India, but particularly from the states of Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Bihar. The push and pull factors are specific and powerful:

Push Factors (Sending Regions)

Factor	Detail
Agricultural distress	Drought, crop failure and debt drive farmers from Maharashtra's Vidarbha region — over 300,000 farmer suicides in India since 1995, many in Maharashtra
Caste discrimination	Lower-caste individuals migrate to cities where caste restrictions are less rigidly enforced
Lack of employment	States like Bihar and UP have limited industrial development; unemployment rates exceed 10%
Inadequate services	Poor healthcare and education in rural areas — India has only 1 government doctor per 10,189 people in rural areas

Pull Factors (Mumbai)

Factor	Detail
Diverse economy	Jobs available across all skill levels — from construction labour to IT professionals
Higher wages	Average monthly income in Mumbai (~₹45,000 / ~£430) is 2–3 times higher than rural Maharashtra
Social networks	Established migrant communities help new arrivals find housing and work
Education	IIT Bombay, University of Mumbai and hundreds of colleges attract students
The "Maximum City" perception	Mumbai's reputation as a city where anyone can succeed (reinforced by Bollywood and media)

Exam Tip: When writing about migration to Mumbai, always include specific data and named source regions. Saying "people migrate from rural areas" is too vague — saying "farmers from drought-affected Vidarbha in eastern Maharashtra" shows detailed case study knowledge.

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Spatial Structure of Mumbai

Mumbai's unique elongated shape creates a distinctive spatial structure quite different from the circular patterns described by the Burgess and Hoyt models:

South Mumbai

Feature	Detail
Historical core	The original city; colonial buildings, old business district
Financial district	Dalal Street (BSE), Reserve Bank of India, Fort area
Affluent neighbourhoods	Malabar Hill, Colaba, Nariman Point — some of the most expensive real estate in the world
Tourist landmarks	Gateway of India, Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Marine Drive
Population	Relatively lower density (wealthy residents occupy more space per person)

Central Mumbai