Introduction to Human Settlements
Definition:
A human settlement is a cluster of human habitation that includes houses, transport systems, economic activities, and social structures.
Types of Settlements Based on Size:
- Hamlet: A very small cluster of dwellings, usually rural.
- Village: A larger settlement than a hamlet, with basic facilities.
- Town: A larger settlement with more developed services.
- City: A large settlement with advanced economic, social, and transport networks.
- Metropolitan City: A highly populated, developed urban area.
Types of Settlements Based on Function
1. Rural Settlements:
- Definition: Small population clusters engaged in primary activities like agriculture and fishing.
- Examples: Villages in Uttar Pradesh, tribal settlements in Chhattisgarh.
2. Urban Settlements:
- Definition: Large population centers engaged in secondary, tertiary, and quaternary activities.
- Examples: Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru.
Classification of Settlements Based on Form
1. Compact Settlements:
- Houses are close together, usually found in fertile plains and river valleys.
- Example: Gangetic plains, Punjab-Haryana region.
2. Dispersed Settlements:
- Scattered houses, common in hilly, forested, or desert areas.
- Example: Himalayan villages, tribal settlements in Madhya Pradesh.
Rural Settlements in India
Types of Rural Settlements:
- Clustered Settlements: Densely packed houses in fertile regions.
- Example: Uttar Pradesh, Bihar.
- Semi-Clustered Settlements: Houses are slightly scattered but near each other.
- Example: Rajasthan, parts of Maharashtra.
- Hamleted Settlements: Several small clusters within a village.
- Example: Madhya Pradesh, Kerala.
- Dispersed Settlements: Houses are far apart, common in forests and hills.
- Example: Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh.
Problems of Rural Settlements:
- Lack of infrastructure (electricity, roads).
- Poor sanitation and healthcare.
- Low employment opportunities.
Urban Settlements in India
Definition:
An urban settlement is a place with a large population engaged in non-agricultural activities.
Criteria for Urban Areas (Census of India):
- Population of at least 5,000.
- At least 75% of the male workforce engaged in non-agricultural activities.
- Population density of at least 400 persons per sq. km.
Types of Urban Settlements:
- Towns: Population above 5,000 but not a major city.
- Example: Shimla, Ajmer.
- Cities: Population above 1,00,000.
- Example: Lucknow, Nagpur.
- Metropolitan Cities: Population above 1 million.
- Example: Delhi, Chennai.
- Million Plus Cities: Over 1 million population.
- Example: Hyderabad, Pune.
- Megacities: Over 10 million population.
- Example: Mumbai, Kolkata.
Problems of Urban Settlements
1. Housing Shortage:
- Overcrowding and slums.
- Example: Dharavi slum in Mumbai.
2. Water and Sanitation Issues:
- Inadequate drinking water supply.
- Poor sewage disposal leads to health hazards.
3. Traffic Congestion:
- Increased vehicles and poor urban planning.
- Example: Bengaluru’s traffic problems.
4. Environmental Pollution:
- Air, water, and land pollution.
- Example: Delhi’s high air pollution levels.
5. Unemployment & Poverty:
- Migrants often fail to get stable jobs, leading to informal labor markets.
Smart Cities Mission (Government Initiative)
- Objective: Develop sustainable and modern urban centers.
- Key Features:
- Improved infrastructure.
- Smart governance and digital services.
- Environmental sustainability.
- Example: Indore, Bhopal, Surat under Smart Cities Project.
Conclusion
- Settlements evolve based on geography, economy, and governance.
- India has a growing urban population with increasing challenges.
- Sustainable urban planning is essential for future development.
MCQs
1. Consider the following statements regarding Human Settlements:
- A hamlet is a small cluster of dwellings, usually rural in nature.
- A town has more developed services and infrastructure than a village.
- A metropolitan city refers to a large urban area with a population exceeding 1 lakh.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, and 3
Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only
Explanation: A metropolitan city is defined as a highly populated urban area, but its population must exceed 1 million (10 lakh), not just 1 lakh.
2. Which of the following settlements is commonly found in the Gangetic plains?
(a)Hamleted Settlements
(b) Dispersed Settlements
(c) Compact Settlements
(d) Semi-Clustered Settlements
Answer: (c) Compact Settlements
Explanation: Compact settlements are typically found in fertile plains and river valleys, such as the Gangetic plains, where people live close together due to agriculture.
3. Consider the following pairs of settlement types and their examples:
| Settlement Type | Example |
| 1. Clustered Settlements | Uttar Pradesh, Bihar |
| 2. Dispersed Settlements | Punjab, Haryana |
| 3. Hamleted Settlements | Madhya Pradesh, Kerala |
| 4. Semi-Clustered Settlements | Rajasthan, Maharashtra |
Which of the above pairs is/are correctly matched?
(a) 1, 3, and 4 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 2 only
(d) 1, 2, 3, and 4
Answer: (a) 1, 3, and 4 only
Explanation: Dispersed settlements are not common in Punjab and Haryana; they are mostly found in hilly and forested regions like Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh.
4. Which of the following criteria are used by the Census of India to define an urban area?
- Minimum population of 5,000
- At least 75% of the male workforce engaged in non-agricultural activities
- Population density of at least 400 persons per sq. km
- At least 50% of the land area must be developed
(a) 1, 2, 3, and 4
(b) 2, 3, and 4 only
(c) 1, 3, and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, and 3 only
Answer: (d) 1, 2, and 3 only
Explanation: There is no requirement that 50% of the land area must be developed to classify a region as urban in India.
5. Which of the following correctly differentiates rural and urban settlements?
(a) Rural settlements have a smaller population and focus on primary activities, whereas urban settlements have a larger population and focus on non-agricultural activities.
(b) Rural settlements always have better infrastructure and healthcare than urban settlements.
(c) Urban settlements are primarily found in forested and mountainous regions, whereas rural settlements are mostly in plains.
(d) Urban settlements have a lower population density compared to rural settlements.
Answer: (a) Rural settlements have a smaller population and focus on primary activities, whereas urban settlements have a larger population and focus on non-agricultural activities.
Explanation: Rural settlements are small clusters engaged in agriculture, fishing, or forestry, whereas urban settlements focus on industry, commerce, and services.
6. Consider the following statements regarding problems of urban settlements:
- Dharavi in Mumbai is an example of an overcrowded slum.
- Bengaluru faces severe traffic congestion due to increased vehicles and poor urban planning.
- Urban areas in India generally have zero unemployment due to more job opportunities.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 3 only
(b)1 and 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, and 3
Answer: (b) 1 and 2 only
Explanation: Urban unemployment is still a major issue in India, especially due to the rise of informal labor markets and underemployment.
7. Which of the following cities is classified as a “Million Plus City” in India?
(a) Ajmer
(b) Shimla
(c) Pune
(d) Gangtok
Answer: (c) Pune
Explanation: Million Plus Cities have more than 1 million (10 lakh) people, and Pune is one such city. Shimla, Ajmer, and Gangtok have much smaller populations.
8. Which of the following government initiatives aims to improve urban infrastructure and governance in India?
(a)National Rural Health Mission
(b) MGNREGA
(c) Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana
(d) Smart Cities Mission
Answer: (d) Smart Cities Mission
Explanation: Smart Cities Mission focuses on urban infrastructure development, digital services, and sustainable governance. The other schemes focus on rural development and poverty alleviation.
9. Consider the following statements about metropolitan cities in India:
- A metropolitan city must have a population of more than 1 million.
- Chennai and Delhi are examples of metropolitan cities.
- All metropolitan cities are also classified as megacities.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, and 3
Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only
Explanation: Not all metropolitan cities are megacities. A megacity must have a population of more than 10 million, whereas a metropolitan city only needs 1 million people.
10. Consider the following pairs regarding urban settlement classification:
| Classification | Minimum Population |
| 1. Town | 5,000 |
| 2. City | 1,00,000 |
| 3. Megacity | 10 million |
| 4. Metropolitan City | 5 million |
Which of the above pairs is incorrectly matched?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 3 and 4 only
(c) 4 only
(d) 2 and 3 only
Answer: (c) 4 only
Explanation: A metropolitan city requires only 1 million population, not 5 million. Other classifications are correctly matched.
