Kochi: The Largest City in Kerala
When discussing the largest city in Kerala, one must confidently point towards Kochi, although it is often overshadowed by the historical significance of Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum), which serves as the capital of the state. While Kochi is less renowned, it has emerged as the most developed and expansive city in the region, and isuckle to the numerous statistical and urban planning indicators that support this claim.
Comparative Urbanization and Development
Appearance alone, for those familiar with both cities, provides a clear indication of their relative sizes. Kochi, with its bustling harbour, vibrant markets, and extensive infrastructure, stands out as a city that is significantly larger and more developed compared to Kozhikode and other cities in Kerala. The differences in urban sprawl and development can be visually gauged through satellite light density and pollution maps from NASA and population density maps, which provide a visual representation of the growth and expansion of these cities.
Urban Corporation and Population Statistics
When examining the urban corporation statistics, the disparity in size becomes even more pronounced. Thiruvananthapuram Corporation is notably larger than Kochi Corporation, with an area of 214 km2 compared to Kochi's 95 km2, and a population of close to 0.96 million, whereas the population within the Kochi Corporation is approximately 0.6 million. Similarly, Kozhikode Corporation has a larger area of 128 km2, yet it still has a smaller population than Kochi Corporation, as per the 2011 census. These statistics highlight the unique expansion patterns and growth dynamics of these urban centers.
The expansion patterns of these corporations are also intriguing. Since the formation of Kochi Corporation, it has undergone a mere 11 km2 of expansion in its 51 years of existence. In contrast, Thiruvananthapuram Corporation has expanded by 184 km2 over the same period. This stark contrast in growth rates perpetuates the notion that Kochi is a more rapidly and extensively developed urban area.
Urban Agglomeration and Demographic Discrepancies
The landscape shifts even further when considering the urban agglomeration (UA) statistics. In the 2011 census, Kochi UA had a population of 21.2 lakhs, just a lakh more than Kozhikode UA, which had a population of 20.3 lakhs. However, the discrepancy arises from the inflated population figures in Kerala's previous censuses, which skewed the demographic data. A report from the Press Information Bureau highlights this issue, noting that the correct population figures for Keralan UAs are as follows: Kochi - 20.8 lakhs, Thiruvananthapuram - 12.5 lakhs, Kozhikode - 11.3 lakhs, and so forth.
To provide accurate demographic data, sources such as Demographia have corrected their figures, showing that Kozhikode UA does not have a larger population than Kochi UA in 2018. This correction emphasizes the importance of accurate and updated census data in understanding the urban landscape of Kerala.
Therefore, it is evident that at present, Kochi is undeniably the largest city in Kerala, both in terms of area and population. This conclusion is supported by the extensive urbanization efforts, the visible expansion of municipal boundaries, and the corrected population statistics. As the state continues to grow and develop, Kochi undoubtedly retains its position as the largest city in Kerala.