Difference Between Urban and Rural

Difference Between Urban and Rural: Urban and rural are classifications that define the types of human settlements and environments. These terms help distinguish between densely populated, developed urban areas with diverse economic opportunities, and less densely populated, often agriculturally oriented areas rural areas with a focus on community ties and nature. They are used to describe and categorize different geographic and demographic characteristics of communities and are influenced by factors such as economic activities, infrastructure, and lifestyle.

Difference Between Urban and Rural

The distinctions between urban and rural lifestyles encompass various factors such as access to education, healthcare, and the overall quality of life. The differences Between Urban and Rural are shown in the below table:

Characteristic	Urban Areas	Rural Areas
Population Density	High	Low
Area Includes	Cities, Towns and Suburbs	Villages and Hamlet
Percentage of area in India	India has 641,000 inhabited villages and 72.2 percent of the total population resides in these rural areas	India has a 27.8 per cent urban population which lives in more than 5,100 towns and over 380 urban agglomerations.
Infrastructure	Well-developed with advanced facilities and amenities	Basic infrastructure which may lack modern amenities
Economic Activities	Diverse type of economic activities including non-agricultural industries	Primarily agriculture-based, with limited industries
Employment Opportunities	Varied job opportunities in diverse sectors	Mainly agricultural and fewer non-agricultural options
Lifestyle	Fast-paced and hectic	Slower-paced and close-knit communities
Services	Abundant access to education, healthcare, and utilities	Limited access to amenities and services
Housing	High-rise buildings, apartments, and modern housing	Single-family homes, often with larger land plots
Transportation	Well-developed public transportation systems	Limited public transportation, reliance on private vehicles
Access to Technology	Advanced technology and connectivity	Limited access to modern technology
Cultural Opportunities	Diverse cultural events, entertainment options	Fewer cultural events, reliance on local traditions

What is Urban? and Types of Urban Settlement

According to census urban area is defined as: (a) all places with a municipality, corporation, cantonment board or notified town area committee, etc. (b) all other places which satisfy the following criteria:

• A minimum population of 5,000
• At least 75% of male working population engaged in non-agricultural pursuits
• A density of population of at least 400 persons per square kilometer.

In India, the level of urbanization as a whole increased from 25.7 percent in 1991 to 31.14 percent in 2011. Tamil Nadu is the most urbanized state with 48.4% of the population living in urban areas followed by Kerala (47.7%), Maharashtra (45.2%). By 2035, the percentage of population in India in urban area will be 43.2%. Urban area have the following features:

• High density of people in a limited area.
• Urban areas have well-developed infrastructure, including roads, bridges, public transportation, utilities(water supply, sewage systems, electricity), and communication networks.
• Mix of residential, commercial, and industrial zones.
• Cultural and demographic diversity due to the influx of people from different regions.
• Recreational amenities like parks, sports facilities, and entertainment options.
• Various types of housing, from apartments to houses.
• Issues like pollution and waste management.

Types of Urban Settlement

Depending on the area and size of population urban areas are designated as town, city, million city, conurbation, megalopolis.

• Town: A human settlement that is larger than a village but smaller than a city is known as town. Population size varies form 2000 to 20000.
• City: It is an urban centre having population between one lakh to one million. Cities are much larger than towns and have a greater number of economic functions.
• Metropolitan city: Metropolitan Cities are those Cities which have population in between one million to five million.
• Mega Cities: Cities having more than 5 million population are metropolitan cities.
• Megalopolis: A very large, heavily populated city or urban complex having more than 5 million population is known as Megalopolis. A megalopolis is formed from the coalesce of chain of metropolitan areas.
• Conurbation: A conurbation is an extended urban area, comprising a number of cities, large towns, and other urban areas which have merged to form one continuous urban and industrially developed area, through population growth and physical expansion.

What is Rural?

A rural area also known as countryside or village is a geographic area that is located outside towns and cities. Agriculture is the main source of livelihood along with fishing, cottage industries, pottery etc. The National Sample Survey Organization (NSSO) defines ‘rural’ as follows:

• An area with a population density of up to 400 per square kilometer,
• Villages with clear surveyed boundaries but no municipal board,
• A minimum of 75% of male working population involved in agriculture and allied activities.

In India, 65 per cent (2021 data) of the country’s population lives in the rural areas and 47 per cent of the population is dependent on agriculture for livelihood. Uttar Pradesh has the largest percentage of rural population in India. It has 155 million rural population. It is the 18.6 % of total rural population of India. Rural area have the following features:

• Sparse population spread across a larger geographic area.
• Agriculture is the main occupation along ith fishery and livestock.
• Presence of open spaces, forests, and natural surroundings.
• Settlements consist of villages or small towns.
• Basic infrastructure with fewer amenities and services.
• Close interpersonal relationships and strong community ties.
• Facilities like healthcare, educational, and recreational facilities are limited.
• Emphasis on traditional customs and ways of life.
• Fewer industrial and commercial activities compared to urban areas.
• More reliance on personal vehicles and limited public transportation facilities available.
• Communities may be more self-sufficient for basic needs.

Conclusion

Urban and rural areas represent different types settlements and lifestyle. Urban areas are characterized by high population density, wide range of economic activities and opportunities and advanced infrastructure that represents fast pace of life. On the other hand, rural areas represents lower population density, agriculture being the main occupation, and a close-knit community with slower pace of life.

FAQs on Difference Between Urban and Rural

1. What is urban area?

Urban area is defined as area with density of population of at least 400 persons per sq. km and at least 75 percent of the working population is engaged in non-agricultural occupations.

2. What is a rural area?

Rural is a geographical area located outside towns and cities. It is characterized by open spaces, agricultural activities, a focus on natural landscapes and close community ties.

3. How is urban and rural area different in terms of Land area?

In urban areas vacant land area is less and most of the land is used for development purpose while rural areas have low population density therefore a large vacant land is available.

4. What are the causes of the Rural-Urban divide?

Factors, such as inadequate infrastructure, lack of access to basic services, and limited economic opportunities, contribute to the rural-urban divide.

5. What are the main problems of urban areas?

Overpopulation, congestion, pollution, housing shortages, inequality, unemployment, crime, health, waste, water scarcity.