Every year, millions of Indians pack their lives into suitcases and move to different cities for work, education, or marriage. A student from Patna lands in Bengaluru and starts speaking in English more
often than Hindi. A professional from Kochi in Gurugram finds their food habits, clothing style, and even political conversations slowly changing. At some point, many people ask themselves: “Am I still the same person I was before I moved?”
This question has now moved beyond philosophy into the realm of science. Psychologists, sociologists, and urban researchers are increasingly examining how geography, neighbourhoods, and social environments influence who we become. In India, where urbanisation and internal migration are accelerating rapidly, the answer carries practical as well as emotional weight.
Identity: Born Or Built?
For decades, identity was often discussed as a product of genetics, family upbringing, or culture. But modern research suggests that the story is far more layered. A large 2015 global analysis of nearly 50 years of twin studies, covering about 14 million twins and more than 17,000 traits ranging from intelligence to political beliefs, concluded that genetics explains, on average, only about 50% of the differences between people. The remaining variation comes from environmental factors, life experiences, and social context.
This does not mean genes are unimportant. Intelligence, for example, is estimated to be more than 50% heritable on average, although genetics tends to play a stronger role later in life than in childhood. Personality traits such as extroversion or openness are roughly 40% heritable, which implies that environment and lived experiences have a substantial role in shaping how these traits express themselves. In simpler terms, biology provides a framework, but surroundings and social exposure often colour the details.
The BBC’s recent exploration of “place identity” — a term used in environmental psychology — highlights how physical spaces influence not just behaviour but also self-perception. The neighbourhoods in which people grow up, the cities they move to, and the communities they interact with all subtly affect our ambitions, communication styles, and sense of belonging.
The Psychology Of Place
Environmental psychologists argue that identity is not fixed; it is adaptive. Humans are social beings who constantly adjust to cues around them — language patterns, dress codes, workplace expectations, even public transport etiquette. Over time, repeated exposure to these cues can reshape habits and self-image.
A person who grows up in a small town where social interactions are tight-knit may develop a strong community orientation. Move that same individual to a fast-paced metro where anonymity is common, and behavioural shifts can occur. They may become more independent, assertive, or private, not because their core values changed overnight, but because the environment rewards different traits.
Neighbourhood design also plays a role. Access to parks, cultural centres, libraries, or even safe walking spaces influences daily routines and social engagement. Studies have shown that people living in walkable neighbourhoods with strong community infrastructure often report higher levels of social trust and well-being compared to those in isolated or congested areas.
India’s Rapid Urban Transition
India is currently experiencing one of the world’s fastest urban transitions, with its urban population expected to increase by 500 million over the next 25 years. As of 2024-2025, roughly 36-37% of the population lives in urban areas, a significant rise from 31% in 2011.
A young engineer relocating from a Tier-2 city to a technology hub often finds themselves navigating new languages, food preferences, and social norms. Over time, accents soften, wardrobes change, and professional ambitions expand. While some celebrate this adaptability, others experience cultural dissonance or identity fatigue — the feeling of being caught between two worlds.
Regional pride and linguistic identity remain strong in India, yet metro cities increasingly function as melting pots. It is common to find households where three languages are spoken, and multiple regional cuisines coexist. This blending does not erase original identities but layers them, creating hybrid versions that reflect both origin and destination.
Belonging, Alienation, and Mental Health
The influence of place is not always positive. Rapid migration can bring feelings of loneliness or alienation, especially among young adults living away from family support systems for the first time. Large cities offer opportunity but also anonymity, which can intensify isolation.
Urban mental-health studies suggest that social integration — friendships, neighbourhood familiarity, and community participation — acts as a protective factor. When individuals fail to establish new social anchors, identity uncertainty can lead to stress or reduced self-confidence. Conversely, supportive communities can accelerate confidence and personal growth, reinforcing the idea that environment shapes psychological well-being alongside personality.
Politics, Culture And Collective Identity
Geography also influences collective identity. Political beliefs, civic participation, and cultural affiliations often vary by region because local narratives, media ecosystems, and community histories differ. Living in a culturally conservative area versus a liberal urban district can expose individuals to contrasting viewpoints, gradually influencing their perspectives.
In India, regionalism, language politics, and local pride frequently intersect with migration patterns. A person relocating for work may initially resist local customs but gradually adopt them through daily exposure. This adaptation is less about abandoning roots and more about social survival and integration.
How Digitisation Has Blurred Geographical Borders
The modern identity conversation cannot ignore the digital world. Online communities, gaming networks, fandom cultures, and diaspora groups now compete with physical neighbourhoods as sources of belonging. A teenager in Jaipur may feel more connected to an international gaming community than to their immediate locality. A professional in Dubai may maintain cultural identity through Indian social-media networks.
Digital spaces complicate the idea of place identity. They weaken geographical limitations while simultaneously reinforcing cultural ties. Instead of replacing physical belonging, they create parallel identities — one anchored in location and another in shared interests or global networks. For many young Indians, identity today is both local and virtual.
Urban Design And Policy Implications
Understanding how place shapes identity is not merely academic; it has policy implications. Urban planning, housing design, and community infrastructure influence how people interact, form relationships and perceive safety. Cities that invest in public spaces, cultural programmes and inclusive neighbourhood planning often foster stronger community bonds.
Workplace culture is another dimension. Companies that relocate employees or operate across multiple cities increasingly recognise the importance of cultural integration programmes. Helping individuals adapt to new environments is not just an HR strategy; it is an acknowledgement that the environment affects performance and well-being.
Identity Keeps Evolving
The emerging consensus among researchers is that identity is neither entirely inherited nor entirely constructed. It is fluid, evolving through interaction between genes, experiences, and surroundings. Where we live does not erase who we are, but it can reshape how we express ourselves, what we aspire to and how we connect with others.
In a country as mobile and diverse as India, this understanding carries reassurance. Changing cities or communities does not mean losing authenticity. Instead, it often means adding new layers to an existing self. As urban landscapes expand and digital worlds deepen, identity may become less about a single rooted place and more about a mosaic of influences.
The question, then, is not whether our environment changes us — it almost certainly does — but how consciously we navigate that change. Identity, like geography, is rarely static. It moves, adapts and grows, reflecting both where we come from and where we choose to go next.
