Urbanisation in India| Class 12 Geography Notes

Urbanisation in India Class 12 Geography Notes: CBSE Class 12 Geography Notes are important for students studying Social Science, as Geography is a crucial sub-subject that requires properly written answers. Scoring well in Geography is just as important as other subjects.

By going through these notes, students can strengthen their understanding of the chapter’s concepts and learn more about why urban areas are getting bigger, what effects this has, and how we measure it.

Our Geography Notes Class 12 serves as a valuable resource to enhance your problem-solving skills and prepare for your Social Science Class 12 exams. By utilizing our comprehensive notes, you can develop a strong foundation in Geography and improve your problem-solving skills.

Urbanisation in India

Urbanization is determined by the percentage of urban population compared to the total population. In 2011, India’s urbanization rate was 31.16 percent, which is relatively low compared to developed nations. However, over the twentieth century, the urban population in India increased dramatically, growing eleven-fold.

This growth was fueled by the expansion of existing urban areas and the emergence of new towns across the country. Despite this growth, the rate of urbanization has slowed down in the last two decades.

Functional Classification of Towns

Cities and towns in India serve various specialized functions, catering to specific activities, products, or services. While each town performs multiple functions, they can be broadly categorized based on their dominant roles:

Administrative towns and cities: These are centers that support higher-order administrative headquarters, such as Chandigarh, New Delhi, Bhopal, and Jaipur.

Industrial towns: These cities are driven by industries, serving as hubs for manufacturing and production. Examples include Mumbai, Salem, and Jamshedpur.

Transport cities: These towns are pivotal points for transportation, either as ports engaged in import and export activities (e.g., Kochi, Vishakhapatnam) or as inland transport hubs (e.g., Agra, Mughalsarai).

Commercial towns: Focused on trade and commerce, these cities specialize in commercial activities. Kolkata, Saharanpur, and Satna are some examples.

Mining towns: Developed in mineral-rich areas, these towns thrive on mining activities. Examples include Raniganj, Jharia, and Singrauli.

Garrison and cantonment towns: These towns emerged as military bases, such as Ambala, Jalandhar, and Udhampur.

Educational towns: Originally centers of education, some towns have grown into major campus towns, like Roorkee, Varanasi, and Pilani.

Religious and cultural towns: These cities gained prominence due to their religious or cultural significance, such as Varanasi, Amritsar, and Haridwar.

Tourist towns: These destinations attract tourists for leisure and recreation, including Nainital, Shimla, and Ooty.

Urbanisation in India- FAQs

What is urbanisation?

Urbanisation refers to the process of increasing the proportion of urban population in relation to the rural population. It involves the migration of people from rural areas to urban areas, leading to the growth and expansion of cities and towns.

What factors contribute to urbanisation in India?

Urbanisation in India is driven by various factors such as rural-urban migration, natural increase in urban population due to higher birth rates, industrialisation and economic opportunities in urban areas, infrastructure development, and government policies promoting urban growth.

How is urbanisation measured?

Urbanisation is measured by calculating the percentage of urban population in relation to the total population of a country or region. This is often expressed as the urbanisation rate, which indicates the level of urban development in a particular area.

How has urbanisation affected the socio-economic landscape of India?

Urbanisation has significantly transformed the socio-economic landscape of India. It has led to the concentration of economic activities, the emergence of metropolitan cities as economic hubs, and the growth of the service sector. However, urbanisation has also widened the gap between the rich and poor, resulting in social inequality and urban poverty.

What are some government initiatives to address the challenges of urbanisation in India?

The Indian government has implemented various initiatives to address the challenges of urbanisation, including the Smart Cities Mission, AMRUT (Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation), Swachh Bharat Mission, and Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban). These initiatives aim to promote sustainable urban development, improve infrastructure, and enhance the quality of life in urban areas.