Urbanization in developing countries is occurring at intense speeds. The migration
process, by which large numbers of peopie are concentrated in relatively small areas, is
adding to this rapid urbanization. Due to this high urban density over a very short period,
governments are challenged to offer sufficient support (heaitheare, education, and
transport) to the migrants. As such, population mobility to major cities in the developing
world has been a focus of policy formulators during the second half of this century.
In this dissertation government policy addressing urban development in relation to
migration in China and India were analyzed and compared. Various processes and
patterns were examined to determine the relationship between government policy and
increased urbanization due to rural-urban migration. In China two major policies were
studied. The bukou system was examined in the Mao and post-Mao era to determine its
effect ori both temporary and permanent mobility. The second policy, the Foi.r
Modernisations, which marked the advent of a new shift in Chinas economic and
political policy, was also analyzed to determine its relationship to rural-urban migration.
India has no direct migratory controls. Policy was foimulated with the expectancy that it
would influence the patterns of rural-urban migration. During the Third and Fourth fiveyear
Plans, both the Industrial Location Policies and agricultural reforms were initiated to
achieve this objective.
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It was found that diverse outcomes transpbed, depending on several factors such as the
different government structures and the ability to effectively implement policy. In some
cases government policies cari influence niral-urban migration and in some cases they are
highly ftitile. The effectiveness of government policy in controlling rural-urban
migration depends on an extensive and far-reaching approach towards the national
political economy whose nature can be modified through time. This thesis explores the
complex interrelationship between government policy and rural-urban migration in the
centrally controlled government of China and the Federal State system of government in
India.