Rebuilding the Capabilities for Post COVID-19 Pandemic: Issues and Challenges of Bangalore Model of Development

The pace of urbanization has achieved considerable momentum in recent years with 34.93 per cent of India's population living in urban areas. However, the COVID - 19 pandemic has severely affected urban development with adverse effects on people's mobility, consumption level, health and poverty. Bangalore, the capital of Karnataka and the third largest city in India, has a population of 11 million and contributes more than one third of the state's GDP. The expansion of certain sectors including Information Technology, infrastructure and spread of educational institutions has fueled Bangalore's rapid growth in the past three decades which has made it a regional superpower in India, if not South Asia. This paper explores the unique features of the 'Bangalore Model of Development' as a regional development model and provides a systematic introspection of its capabilities. It discusses the impact of the pandemic on the key driving forces of Bangalore Model and assesses the current government measures. The situation analysis with the policy prescriptions would help to strengthen and sustain the urban system during the postpandemic times.