Contrasting Models of Urban Governance: A Comparative Study of Noida and Gurugram
Keywords:
Urban governance, Decentalization, Centralized, Fragmented, Development, PlanningAbstract
Post-liberalisation India has witnessed a significant increase in urban centres across the country driven by the inflow of Multinational Companies (MNCs), easing of laws to promote private sector-led growth and the rapid influx of migrants moving to these urban centres in search for new employment avenues. This article seeks to explore the evolution of two important urban centres located in the National Capital Region (NCR) of Delhi — Noida and Gurugram. Both the cities developed under different frameworks and trajectories, leading to two contrasting models of urban governance. While Noida is characterized by a centralized-technocratic model of governance, in contrast, Gurugram is characterized by an entrepreneurial-fragmented model of governance. Through a qualitative, comparative analysis based on institutional frameworks, planning instruments and democratic participation, the article attempts to understand the key differences in the urban governance models of Noida and Gurugram. It also seeks to relate the urban governance models of the two cities with the foundational literature on urban governance, given by scholars like Michel Foucault, Henri Lefebvre and David Harvey. Finally, the article attempts to understand the challenges encountered both by Noida and Gurugram with respect to their distinct urban governance models, and the recommendations proposed to mitigate these issues.
References
Brij, A. 2025. Haryana Unveils Comprehensive Action Plan To Tackle Gurugram’s Civic Woes; Model May Be Replicated Across State. Swarajya. https://swarajyamag.com/news-brief/haryana-unveils-comprehensive-action-plan-to-tackle-gurugrams-civic-woes-model-may-be-replicated-across-state
Das, Ritanjan, and Nilotpal Kumar. 2023. The Politics of Community-making in New Urban India. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003083061.
Dev, Aditya. 2025. “In SC’s Repeated Rebukes of Noida, There’s a Recurring Term: Collusion.” The Times of India, August 17, 2025. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/noida/in-scs-repeated-rebukes-of-noida-theres-a-recurring-term-collusion/articleshow/123338883.cms.
“ECONOMIC SURVEY OF DELHI, 2023-24439.” 2023. Report. DEMOGRAPHIC PROFILE. https://delhiplanning.delhi.gov.in/sites/default/files/Planning/chapter_19_0.pdf.
Foucault, Michel. 1978. “CHAPTER FOUR.” This Lecture. Given at the College De France in February 1978. Is Translated From the Italian Version, Transcribed and Edited by Pasquale Pasquino, Published in Aut Aut 167-8, September-December 1978. https://www.hf.uio.no/ikos/english/research/news-and-events/events/phd/2023/foucault-governmentality.pdf.
Harvey, D. 2012. REBEL CITIES. In VERSO. VERSO.
Industrial Area Development Act. 1976. NOIDA Authority https://noidaauthorityonline.in/en/page/industrial-area-development-act-1976
Kumar, Kartik. 2021. “Additional Charges Give MCG Chance to Avoid Missteps in Manesar | Hindustan Times.” Hindustan Times, January 17, 2021. https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/gurugram-news/additional-charges-give-mcg-chance-to-avoid-missteps-in-manesar-101610904006089.html.
Kumar, Sunil. 2025. “Why Industrial Townships Like Noida Are Lacking Citizen-Centric Governance - the Wire.” The Wire, October 3, 2025. https://thewire.in/urban/why-industrial-townships-like-noida-are-lacking-citizen-centric-governance.
Lefebvre, H. 1991. The Production of Space. Oxford: Blackwell
Mahapatra, Dhananjay. 2025. “Consider Converting Noida to a Metropolitan Council: SC to UP.” The Times of India, August 14, 2025. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/consider-converting-noida-to-a-metropolitan-council-sc-to-up/articleshow/123292648.cms.
Noida Master Plans. 1976, 2001, 2011 2021, 2031. NOIDA Authority https://noidaauthorityonline.in/en/article/master-plan-for-noida
Rajagopalan, Shruti, and Tabarrok, Alexander. 2014. “Lessons From Gurgaon, India’s Private City.” NEW CITIES FOR AN URBAN WORLD. https://mason.gmu.edu/~atabarro/Lessons%20from%20Gurgaon.pdf.
Realty. 2025. “HAS NOIDA OUTPACED GURUGRAM.” Realty Plus Magazine, June 14, 2025. https://www.rprealtyplus.com/property-check/has-noida-outpaced-gurugram-120413.html.
SINGH, A. et al. 2020. Neoliberal Spatialities in Gurgaon: Privatization, Negotiation and Reciprocity in India. Traditional Dwellings and Settlements Review, 31(2), 7–22. https://www.jstor.org/stable/26953013
The Haryana Development and Regulation of Urban Areas Act. 1975. Government of Haryana https://tcpharyana.gov.in/Notification/URBAN_AREAS_ACT_RULES.pdf
Tnn. 2025. “GMDA Must Meet at Least Once a Month, Not Once or Twice a Year, Says Rao Inderjit Singh.” The Times of India, July 21, 2025. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/gurgaon/gmda-must-meet-at-least-once-a-month-not-once-or-twice-a-year-says-rao-inderjit-singh/articleshow/122821958.cms.
Tnn. 2025b. “Municipal Corporation of Gurgaon Steps up Heat on Tax Defaulters, Seals Properties, Warns of Auction if Not Paid.” The Times of India, October 10, 2025. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/gurgaon/municipal-corporation-of-gurgaon-steps-up-heat-on-tax-defaulters-seals-properties-warns-of-auction-if-not-paid/articleshow/124465354.cms.
