Urbaltour

Urbaltour Kohima was a collaborative research project conducted between 2022 and 2025 by researchers from the French Institute of Pondicherry (IFP) and The Highland Institute. The project examined the relationship between urban growth and tourism in mountain regions, using Kohima, Nagaland, as a case study. Through interdisciplinary research, the project explored how tourism shapes urban transformation, local economies, infrastructure development, and everyday life in a rapidly changing hill city.

The project formed part of the broader Urbaltour programme, which investigates tourism-driven urbanisation in mountain towns and secondary cities. By focusing on Kohima, the project addressed significant gaps in scholarship concerning small and medium-sized mountain cities, which are often overlooked in favour of larger metropolitan centres.

Project Information

Project Lead: Dr Bertrand Lefebvre

Duration: 2022–2025

Funder: ANR (French National Research Agency)

Partner Institutions: Institut Français de Pondichéry (IFP), The Highland Institute

Status: Completed

Project Overview

The project investigated how tourism contributes to urban growth and transformation in Kohima. Particular attention was given to the expansion of the hospitality sector, the influence of the Hornbill Festival, emerging tourism economies, and the challenges associated with tourism-led development.

The research examined the opportunities and tensions arising from increased visitor flows, including impacts on infrastructure, housing, transportation, environmental sustainability, and local livelihoods.

Objectives

• Examine the relationship between tourism and urbanisation in Kohima.
• Address research gaps concerning small and medium-sized mountain cities.
• Map patterns of tourism growth and expansion.
• Analyse social, economic, and environmental challenges associated with tourism-led development.
• Investigate inequalities and spatial transformations within the city.
• Contribute evidence to support informed public debate and urban policy development.

Research Themes

• Urbanisation
• Tourism Studies
• Mountain Cities
• Sustainable Development
• Urban Governance
• Regional Development
• Cultural Economy

Activities

• Tourism and urbanisation mapping.
• Visitor and stakeholder surveys.
• Hospitality sector analysis.
• Research on artisan and tourism-related livelihoods.
• Urban infrastructure assessment.
• Community engagement and dissemination activities.

Outcomes

The project demonstrated that the Hornbill Festival and nature-based tourism have contributed significantly to the growth of an emerging entrepreneur-led tourism sector in Kohima. Research findings highlighted changing visitor demographics, the expansion of hospitality businesses, and the growing importance of tourism within the local economy.

The study also identified key challenges affecting sustainable growth, including infrastructure limitations, uneven spatial distribution of accommodation, traffic congestion, water and waste management concerns, and limited visitor information outside peak tourism periods. The findings contribute to ongoing discussions about sustainable urban development and tourism planning in Nagaland.

Research Team

• Dr Bertrand Lefebvre — Project Lead
• Rovithono Yhome — Research Assistant
• Akumtong Imchen — Research Assistant

Partner Institutions

• Institut Français de Pondichéry (IFP)
• The Highland Institute

Related Topics

• Urbanisation
• Tourism
• Mountain Cities
• Sustainable Development
• Hornbill Festival
• Kohima
• Nagaland