Reframing Rural Development

Reframing Rural Development: Theories, Policies and Case Studies from India
by Sushanth S J

Rural India is undergoing rapid change, yet development policies often struggle to connect with lived realities on the ground. Reframing Rural Development bridges this gap, exploring how sustainability frameworks, housing policies, and participatory approaches can reshape the future of villages.

Drawing from international models, India's flagship schemes, and a detailed case study of Erukkampattu, a tribal village in Tamil Nadu, the book critically examines challenges of poverty, infrastructure, housing, and ecological resilience. It questions the conventional "kutcha vs. pucca" housing divide and calls for a material and performance-based revolution in rural housing.

For architecture students, it offers clear pedagogical insights; for policymakers and researchers, it provides analytical frameworks and case-based evidence to design inclusive, climate-resilient interventions.

Engaging and practice-oriented, this book reframes rural development as a participatory, dynamic, and place-based process, making it essential reading for those seeking to connect policy, people, and place in India's sustainable future.