B. Arun Kumar - Social Work - Ph.D. Thesis

284 Pages·2011·1.84 MB·English

URBAN QUALITY OF LIFE AMONG RESIDENTS OF
TIRUCHIRAPPALLI MUNICIPAL CORPORATION –
A DESCRIPTIVE STUDY

A thesis submitted to the
Bharathidasan University in Partial fulfillment
Of the requirements for the award of the degree of
Doctor of Philosophy in Social Work

Submitted by
B. ARUNKUMAR
(Ref. No. 003972/Ph.D.2/Social Work/Full Time/April 2007/Dt.02.04.2007)

Under the Guidance and Supervision of
Dr. P. ILANGO
Professor and Head

DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL WORK
Bharathidasan University
Khajamalai Campus
Tiruchirappalli -620 023

DECEMBER 2011
DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL WORK
Bharathidasan University
Khajamalai Campus
Tiruchirappalli -620 023

Dr. P. ILANGO
Professor & Head

CERTIFICATE

This is to certify that the thesis entitled “URBAN QUALITY OF LIFE
AMONG RESIDENTS OF TIRUCHIRAPPALLI MUNICIPAL
CORPORATION – A DESCRIPTIVE STUDY” is a record of Ph.D research
work done by Mr. B. ARUNKUMAR during 2007-2011, at the Department of
Social Work, Bharathidasan University, Khajamalai Campus, Tiruchirappalli –
620 023 and that this thesis has not previously formed the basis for the award of
any degree, diploma, associateship, fellowship or any other similar title to
anyone and that the thesis represents entirely an independent and original work
on the part of the candidate.

Dr. P. ILANGO
Place: Tiruchirappalli (Research Supervisor)
Date:
B. ARUNKUMAR
UGC-Junior Research Fellow
Department of Social Work,
Bharathidasan University,
Khajamalai Campus
Tiruchirappalli – 620 023

DECLARATION

I hereby declare that the thesis for Ph.D. Degree on “URBAN QUALITY OF
LIFE AMONG RESIDENTS OF TIRUCHIRAPPALLI MUNICIPAL
CORPORATION – A DESCRIPTIVE STUDY” is my original work and
that it has not previously formed the basis for the award of any Degree, Diploma,
Associateship or other similar title.

(B. ARUNKUMAR)

Place : Tiruchirappalli
Date :

iii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain
- Psalm 127:1

It is with deep sense of gratitude and humbleness, I record my heartful praise
and thanks to my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ who has strengthened me with
all the wisdom and knowledge to prepare the project work, without His
abundant blessings showered on me the project would not have been possible.

First and foremost I wish to thank my research supervisor, Dr.P.Ilango,
Professor & Head, Department of Social Work, Bharathidasan University,
Khajamalai Campus, Tiruchirappalli – 620 023. He has always been supportive
and a guiding star for me. And had helped me come up with the thesis topic and
guided me over years of development. And during the most difficult times and
during writing this thesis, he gave me the moral support and the freedom I
needed to move on. I thank him bountifully. I am ever grateful to him for his
generous availability and able guidance.

I am truly indebted and thankful to my Doctoral Committee Member,
Dr. J. Godwin Prem Singh, Associate Professor of Social Work, Bishop Heber
College (Autonomous), Tiruchirappalli – 620 017. I specially thank him for his
readiness to help, motivation and for having been with me throughout the
research tenure.

I wish to thank the University Authorities especially the Vice Chancellor,
Registrar, Controller of Examinations and respective section staff of
Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli for all the timely help and support
rendered during my period of study.

I wish to greatly acknowledge the University Grants Commission authorities for
the matters relating to Junior Research Fellowship.

I express my sincere thanks and gratitude to our College Management especially
the then Principal, Dr. M. Marcus Diepen Boominathan and the present
Principal Rev. Dr. P. Manoharan for having permitted me to avail one-year
leave to complete my PhD under full-time mode I also thank them for their
support and cooperation rendered during my research study.

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I feel immensely grateful to Dr. A. Relton, Associate Professor & Head,
Department of Social Work, Bishop Heber College (Autonomous) for his
motivation and support.

My sincere thanks are due to my teacher and my senior colleague Dr. A. Umesh
Samuel Jebaseelan, Associate Professor of Social Work, Bishop Heber College
(Autonomous), Tiruchirappalli for his favourable support and motivation.

I am most grateful to my colleague Dr. J. Florence Shalini, Assistant Professor
of Social Work, Bishop Heber College (Autonomous), Tiruchirappalli for having
been helpful throughout my research period and for her encouragement and
support.

I also thank my colleague Dr. F. Carter Premraj, Assistant Professor of Social
Work, Bishop Heber College (Autonomous), Tiruchirappalli for his
encouragement, friendship and support.

I also thank my teachers Dr. Selwyn Stanley, Former Head, Department of
Social Work, Bishop Heber College (Autonomous), Tiruchirappalli and
currently Lecturer in Social Work, School of Social Science and Social Work,
Plymouth University, UK and Dr. A. Packiaraj, Assistant Professor of Social
Work, Marywood University, USA for their wishes and support.

I would like to record my sincere thanks and gratitude to
Dr. V. Sethuramalingam, Dr. R. Mangaleswaran, Dr. Jeryda Gnanajane Eljo,
Dr. D. Nirmala and Mr. N.Rajavel, Assistant Professors of Social Work,
Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli for their invaluable suggestions and
cooperation.

I am specially thankful to Mr. Mudiappan, Mr. Giftson, Mr. Udhayakumar,
Dr. Sureshkumar, Ms. Leena, Ms. Helen, Dr. Sathia and Ms. Anitha, the then
teaching assistants of the Department of Social Work, Bharathidasan
University, Tiruchirappalli for their support and encouragement.

I thank the non-teaching staff members of the Department of Social Work,
Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, Mr. Gunavalagan, Mr. Tamilvanan,
Mr. Rajendiran and Ms. Manimekalai for their timely help and assistance.

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I am also thankful to the non-teaching staff members of the Department of
Social Work, Bishop Heber College (Autonomous), Tiruchirappalli viz.,
Mr. P. Selvendiran, Mr. D. Srinivasan and Mr. K. Baskar for their timely
secretarial assistance, support and cooperation.

I would be failing in my duty if I don’t thank the residents of Tiruchirappalli
who have responded to my request. I thank them for their invaluable
contribution and cooperation.

My thanks are due to the Librarians of Bishop Heber College (Autonomous),
Bharathidasan University and National Institute of Technology,
Tiruchirappalli, Centre for Development Studies and Kerala Univeristy,
Trivandram and Madras Institute of Development Studies, Chennai for having
permitted to avail the library services that helped me collecting relevant
literature.

My sincere thanks are due to Dr. Sam Gideon, Assistant Professor of Tamil,
Bishop Heber College (Autonomous), Tiruchirappalli for his encouragement,
support and for having been with me throughout.

I wish to thank my friend Ms. Lakshmi, Assistant Professor of Social Work,
Madras School of Social Work, Chennai for having been encouraging and
motivating me right from the day I started my research work.

I thank Dr. Anand Jerard Sebastine, Assistant Professor of Social Work,
Periyar Maniammai University, Thanjavur for his constant support and
encouragemnet.

Mr. S.A. Shafi, Proprietor, ASP Computers, Tiruchirappalli deserves
appreciation and sincere thanks for having brought out the thesis in a extremely
good manner.

A special group of people are not mentioned yet…
I am extremely thankful to my friend Mr. Satheesh, Mrs. Ruth Satheesh and
Master Jeevan for their love, encouragement and unstinted support in all my
endeavours without whom I would not have been able to be what I am now.

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I praise God for having been blessed with the following families and friends who
have been praying, supporting and encouraging to all my efforts.
 Mr. Savarimuthu & Mrs. Jeyarani Savarimuthu, Frank Anna & all the
members of Immanuel Cottage.
 Dr. Edison Uncle and Mrs. Grace Auntie
 Mrs. Sheela Ilango
I thank them wholeheartedly

It is needless to say I am wholeheartedly thankful to my family members, my
Dad and Mom for their personal support and great patience at all times. They
have given me their unequivocal support throughout, as always, for which my
mere expression of thanks likewise does not suffice.

I take pleasure in thanking my Periyappa and Periyamma for their
unconditional support and encouragement right from my childhood days, their
nourishment in childhood days in educational sphere has made me what I am
now. I also thank my cousins.

I would like to show my gratitude to my Sisters, Brothers-in-law, nephews and
niece for their love and concern towards me.

I thank Ms. Esther, Ms. Diana, Ms. Phepe, Mr. Allwin and Ms. Saraswathi for
their help rendered during my data collection.

I am very much thankful to all my relatives and friends who have supported me
in my endeavors at different times. .

B. ARUNKUMAR

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CONTENTS

Chapter Title Page
Certificate of the Research Supervisor ii
Declaration by the Candidate iii
Acknowledgement iv
List of Figures ix
List of Tables x
List of Abbreviations Used xvi
I INTRODUCTION 1
II REVIEW OF LITERATURE 28
III RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 52
IV RESULTS 69
V DISCUSSION 179
REFERENCES 207
Appendices
• Interview Schedule (English & Tamil Version)
• Attitude Towards Urbanization Index (AUI)
• Urban Quality of Life (UQoL)Scale

• Urban Quality of Life (UQoL)Variables
• Tiruchirappalli (city) Ward Map
• UGC-NET/JRF Certificates
• Publications by the Researcher
viii
LIST OF FIGURES

Figure Title Page
1. Urban Quality of Life Variables 58
2. Quality of Life Components 59
3. Distribution of the Respondents by their Resident Category 70
4. Distribution of the Respondents by their Family Type 71
5. Distribution of the Respondents by their Marriage Type 72
6. Distribution of Respondents by their Educational Qualification 73
7. Distribution of Respondents by their Perveived Levels of Perception 107
about Urban Quality of Life
8. Distribution of Respondents by their Perveived Levels of Perception 107
about Urban Quality of Life
9. Distribution of Respondents by their Level of Various Dimensions of 108
Urban Quality of Life Variables
ix
LIST OF TABLES

Table Title Page
1. Plan Outlay in Housing and Urban Development Sector 21
2. Historical Population 25
3. Zone-Wise Distribution of Streets 61
4. Sample Particulars 61
5. Area Particulars 62
6. Framework of Statistical Analysis 65
7. Zone 69
8. Age Group 69
9. Gender 70
10. Type of House 71
11. Marital Status 72
12. Community 73
13. Job Status 74
14. Kind of Wages 74
15. Average Monthly Income 75
16. Family Income (Average) 75
17. Total Family Members 76
18. Male (Above 18 years) 76
19. Female (Above 18 years) 77
20. Children (Below 10 years) 77
21. Number of Dependents 78
22. Nativity 79
23. Migration 80
24. Resident’s Welfare Association 81
25. Ownership of Vehicles 82
26. Rating QOL of the City 83
x