Settlements patterns and Urbanization

B.2 Settlements Patterns and Urbanization

Linear Settlements
- Definition: Villages arranged in a straight line along a road, river, or railway.
- Examples: Pahari villages in the Himalayas, villages along the Ganga in UP.
- Reasons for Formation: Easy access to transport routes, irrigation, and communication.
Circular or Clustered Settlements
- Definition: Villages arranged in a circular or compact cluster.
- Examples: Panchayat villages in South India, many tribal settlements.
- Reasons for Formation: Protection from wild animals, defense, and proximity to a central point (e.g., a well or temple).
Dispersed Settlements
- Definition: Houses are scattered over a large area.
- Examples: Hill and forest areas, remote villages.
- Reasons for Formation: Difficult terrain, scattered resources, and low population density.
Compact Settlements
- Definition: Villages with closely packed houses.
- Examples: Urbanizing rural areas, many villages in Punjab and Haryana.
- Reasons for Formation: High population density, economic activities, and better access to services.

Topography: Mountains, plains, and hills influence settlement layout.
Climate: Availability of water, temperature, and rainfall affect settlement types.
Economic Activities: Agriculture, pastoralism, and mining shape settlement patterns.
Transport and Communication: Roads, railways, and rivers influence the location and form of settlements.
Cultural and Religious Factors: Temples, shrines, and community centers often influence settlement layout.

Term	Definition
Linear Settlement	Villages arranged in a straight line along a road, river, or railway.
Clustered Settlement	Villages arranged in a compact cluster, often around a central point.
Dispersed Settlement	Houses scattered over a large area due to difficult terrain or low population.
Compact Settlement	Villages with closely packed houses, often due to high population density.

Definition: The process of population shift from rural to urban areas.
Global Trends:
- Urban population is growing faster than rural population.
- By 2050, 68% of the world’s population will live in urban areas.
- Urbanization is most rapid in developing countries.
India’s Urbanization:
- Urban population in India crossed 400 million in 2020.
- Urbanization rate in India is about 30% (as of 2020).
- Urbanization is uneven across states (e.g., Punjab, Goa, Kerala have higher urbanization than Rajasthan, Bihar).

Rapid Urbanization
- Causes: Migration from rural areas, industrialization, and economic opportunities.
- Effects: Overpopulation, strain on infrastructure, and environmental degradation.
Slum Growth
- Definition: Unplanned, informal settlements with poor living conditions.
- Examples: Dharavi in Mumbai, Kumbhraj in Delhi.
- Issues: Lack of basic amenities, poor sanitation, and insecurity of tenure.
Infrastructure Deficits
- Transport: Congestion, inadequate public transport.
- Water and Sanitation: Inadequate supply and poor drainage.
- Power Supply: Frequent power cuts and unreliable supply.
Environmental Impact
- Air and Water Pollution: Due to industrialization and vehicle emissions.
- Deforestation and Loss of Green Spaces: Due to urban sprawl.
- Climate Change: Cities are more vulnerable to extreme weather events.
Social and Economic Inequality
- Income Disparity: High income for some, extreme poverty for others.
- Access to Services: Disparity in access to education, healthcare, and employment.

Policy	Objective	Key Features
Smart City Mission	To develop 100 smart cities	Focus on infrastructure, technology, and sustainability.
Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT)	Improve urban infrastructure	Water supply, sewerage, and urban transport.
Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana (PMAY)	Affordable housing for all	Targeting rural and urban poor.
National Urban Housing and Affordability Mission (NUHAM)	Affordable housing for urban poor	Focus on slum rehabilitation and affordable housing.