Rahat Varma¹, Suruchi Modi¹, Preetha Sajin², Mohammad Arif Kamal^3,

This paper investigates the socio-demographic changes that have occurred in Delhi's Dwarka Sector 21 since it became a significant transportation hub. It makes the case that the Airport Express Line's operationalization has sparked a unique kind of gentrification brought on by transit, changing the socioeconomic makeup of the region. The analysis uses a mixed-methods strategy to look into changes in land use and demographics, guided by the 3P framework People, Place, and Policy. Results reveal a large influx of younger, highly educated migrants, signalling rapid demographic churn and status upgrading. Urban restructuring has increased as land use has changed from mostly residential and unoccupied parcels to commercial and high-density residential construction. The results also show growing affordability challenges and socio-spatial gaps, even while transit-oriented development has boosted economic activity. In order to reduce exclusionary consequences and match growth with equitable goals, the study makes the need for proactive, gender-sensitive policy initiatives.

Gentrification, Transit-Oriented Development, Migration, Employment, Metro, Dwarka, Delhi, India