Impact of Auroville and Aurobindo ashram

Recently I travelled to Pondicherry for the long weekend and visited the traditional spots of Auroville and Aurobindo ashram in white town. I was surprised to see the scale at which the whole facility is located on the outskirts and the huge quarters they occupy in White town.

Just wanted to understand if it's an institution or something like a yogic foundation and how has it benefited the local people? I did read the history of Auroville and the impact of Mother, but felt it would be better to understand from a local's point of view.