Human Settlements

Human settlements are clusters where people live, which vary in size from small hamlets to large metropolitan cities. Settlements inherently involve grouping of people and apportioning of territory as their resource base. The economic character and social structure of settlements change with their size, affecting ecology and technology. Settlements can be small and scattered (villages) or large and compact (urban areas).

Learning Outcomes:

1. Understand differences between rural and urban settlements.
2. Identify various rural settlement types.
3. Trace the evolution of towns in India.
4. Comprehend the trends and classification of urban settlements.

Differences Between Rural and Urban Settlements

1. Economic Base: Rural settlements depend on land-based primary economic activities like agriculture, while urban settlements rely on secondary and tertiary activities like manufacturing and services.
2. Functional Role: Cities serve as nodes of economic growth, providing goods and services to both urban dwellers and nearby rural areas through transport and communication networks.
3. Social Structure: Rural people have intimate social relations, while urban social relationships are more formal, reflecting complex, fast-paced lifestyles.

Types of Rural Settlements

Clustered Settlements
These are compact areas where houses are closely built. Such settlements are common in fertile plains and areas with security needs (e.g., Bundelkhand in Central India). Rajasthan’s compact settlements aim for maximum water resource utilization.

1. Clustered: Houses built close together, distinct from surrounding farms and barns, often geometrically shaped (rectangular, radial, linear).
2. Semi-Clustered: Fragmented from larger settlements, often due to social or ethnic factors. Dominant land-owning communities usually occupy central areas, while marginalized groups live on the outskirts.
3. Hamleted: Larger villages fragmented into smaller units, bearing common names like panna or nagla. These are found in regions like the Ganga plain and Chhattisgarh.
4. Dispersed: Isolated homes or hamlets, found in areas with fragmented terrain, such as parts of Meghalaya and Uttarakhand.

Evolution of Towns in India

Indian towns have developed over various periods:

1. Ancient Towns: Towns like Varanasi and Pataliputra emerged over 2000 years ago as religious and cultural centers.
2. Medieval Towns: Around 100 towns, such as Delhi and Hyderabad, evolved during the medieval period, often serving as princely headquarters.
3. Modern Towns: The British established towns like Mumbai, Chennai, and Kolkata as trading ports, expanding their influence to administrative, military, and industrial hubs.

Important Note: The functional role of a city is dynamic, evolving with its expansion and becoming multifunctional.

Urban Settlements and Their Classification

Urban settlements are generally larger and more compact than rural ones, and they perform administrative, economic, and cultural roles. The evolution of towns from pre-historic times includes changes in function and importance, influenced by economic activities and governance.

Classification Based on Population Size:

1. Class I Towns: Cities with populations over 100,000. Metropolitan cities like Delhi and Mumbai fall into this category, with populations between 1-5 million.
2. Mega Cities: Cities with populations over 5 million, such as Mumbai, Delhi, and Kolkata.

Important Note: As of 2011, more than 60% of India’s urban population lives in Class I towns.

Functional Classification of Towns

Cities and towns in India can be classified based on their dominant functions:

1. Administrative Towns: Serve as governmental centers, e.g., New Delhi and Chandigarh.
2. Industrial Towns: Driven by industries, such as Jamshedpur and Bhilai.
3. Transport Cities: Ports like Kandla and inland hubs like Agra.
4. Commercial Towns: Specialize in trade, e.g., Kolkata and Saharanpur.
5. Mining Towns: Situated in mineral-rich areas, such as Raniganj and Singrauli.
6. Garrison Towns: Established for military purposes, e.g., Ambala and Mhow.

Table: Population Trends in Urban Areas (1901-2011)

Factors Influencing Rural Settlement Patterns

Several factors influence the formation of rural settlements:

1. Physical Features: Terrain, altitude, climate, and water availability dictate settlement types.
2. Cultural and Ethnic Factors: Social structure, caste, and religion impact the spatial arrangement.
3. Security Concerns: Settlements in areas prone to theft or raids are often compact for defense purposes.

Table: Rural Settlement Types and Characteristics

Urbanisation in India

The process of urbanisation in India has been slow compared to developed countries. In 2011, only 31.16% of the population lived in urban areas, a figure that has grown significantly from 1901. However, the growth rate has decelerated in the last two decades. The enlargement of urban centers and the creation of new towns have contributed to urban population growth.

Important Note: A significant portion of India’s urban population resides in metropolitan areas, with Mumbai being the largest urban agglomeration.

Smart Cities Mission

The Smart Cities Mission aims to develop cities with core infrastructure, providing a decent quality of life, and ensuring a clean, sustainable environment. The mission focuses on applying smart solutions to infrastructure and services to make cities more resilient to disasters and promote sustainable urban growth.

Major Indian Towns Based on Function

1. Educational Towns: Places like Roorki and Allahabad began as centers of education and have evolved into major campus towns.
2. Religious and Cultural Towns: Towns such as Varanasi, Amritsar, and Tirupati gained prominence due to religious or cultural significance.
3. Tourist Towns: Popular tourist destinations include Nainital, Shimla, and Ooty, known for their scenic beauty and heritage.

Important Note: As towns and cities expand, they evolve from specialized roles into multifunctional hubs, balancing industrial, commercial, and administrative functions.

Multi-Column Comparison Table: Classification of Urban Centers by Population Size

Urban Agglomerations in India

Urban agglomerations may consist of a town and its adjoining outgrowths, two or more contiguous towns, or a city and neighboring towns forming a contiguous spread. India’s urban population is concentrated in cities like Greater Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad.

Table: Million Plus Cities in 2011

Important Note: The largest urban agglomeration in India is Greater Mumbai with a population of over 18 million.

Multiple Choice Question

Which of the following is NOT located on a river bank?
a) Agra
b) Bhopal
c) Patna
d) Kolkata
Answer: b) Bhopal