India is a land of incredible diversity, from the hustle and bustle of metropolitan cities to the serene countryside dotted with quaint hamlets. But did you know that there are specific guidelines that have been put in place to guide the planning and development of settlements in India? The Urban and Regional Development Plans Formulation and Implementation (URDPFI) is a policy document that provides valuable insight into the different types of urban and rural settlements that exist across the country. In this article, we will explore these different types of settlements and shed light on what makes each of them unique. Whether you’re a student, an urban planner, or just someone who is fascinated by the rich cultural tapestry of India, this guide is for you.
According to the URDPFI, settlements can be classified into the following categories:
- Metropolitan cities: These are cities with a population of more than 10 million people. Some examples of metropolitan cities in India include Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, and Chennai.
- Cities: Cities are settlements with a population between 1 million and 10 million people. Examples of cities in India include Bangalore, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, and Pune.
- Towns: These are settlements with a population between 100,000 and 1 million people. Examples of towns in India include Dehradun, Guntur, and Alwar.
- Industrial towns: Industrial towns are settlements that are primarily characterized by their industrial activities. Examples of industrial towns in India include Jamshedpur, Bhilai, and Rourkela.
- Special economic zones (SEZs): SEZs are designated areas that have been established to promote exports and foreign investment. Examples of SEZs in India include the SEEPZ in Mumbai, the Mahindra World City in Chennai, and the Cochin SEZ in Kerala.
- Hill settlements: Hill settlements are settlements that are located in hilly areas and are characterized by their unique natural and cultural heritage. Examples of hill settlements in India include Shimla, Darjeeling, and Ooty.
- Coastal settlements: Coastal settlements are settlements that are located along the coast and are characterized by their natural resources and proximity to the sea. Examples of coastal settlements in India include Kochi, Visakhapatnam, and Mangalore.
Further classifications are as follows:
1. Counter Magnets: Counter magnets refer to potential and growing sub-nodal centers that are situated outside of the primary growth node or nodal centers in a particular region. These centers, such as Hissar, Gwalior, Patiala, and Kota in the context of NCR, are not directly functionally linked to the growth node or nodal centers, but they have the potential to attract people and economic activity away from these primary centers.
In other words, counter magnets are like smaller magnets that pull people and businesses away from the main magnet, which is the primary growth node or nodal center. They are becoming increasingly important as regions expand and grow, as they help to spread out the development and reduce the pressure on the primary centers.
By creating these sub-nodal centers, the hope is that there will be a more even distribution of economic activity, job opportunities, and population growth, which can help to alleviate issues like overcrowding and traffic congestion in the primary centers.
2. Satellite Towns: A Satellite Town is a type of town that is situated near or within a reasonable distance from a primary growth node or metropolitan city, and is well connected to it by transportation routes. Examples of such towns include Gurgaon and Noida (Delhi), Navi Mumbai (Mumbai), and Salt Lake City (Kolkata).
Satellite towns are heavily dependent on the primary growth node for employment opportunities, but if developed properly, they can provide significant economic growth and employment opportunities for the primary city. This is subject to the efficiency of transportation connectivity between the primary city and the satellite town.
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In simpler terms, satellite towns are like little brothers or sisters of larger cities, where people live and work in a smaller, more self-contained environment, while still being within commuting distance of the primary city. The success of satellite towns hinges on their ability to provide affordable housing, job opportunities, and a high quality of life while being well-connected to the primary city by transportation routes. If these factors are in place, satellite towns can help to alleviate issues like overcrowding and traffic congestion in the primary city, while offering a more livable and sustainable community for residents.
3. Priority Towns: Priority towns are towns that have been identified as having high potential for investment and development, based on their inter-aerial relationship with the regional nodal center. These towns play a critical role in the integrated development of a region, and their development should be carefully planned and executed.
In simpler terms, priority towns are like diamonds in the rough – towns that have been identified as having untapped potential for growth and development, which makes them ideal targets for investment and development. They are typically located within a reasonable distance of the regional nodal center, which means that they are well-placed to benefit from the economic activity generated by the primary center.
The identification of priority towns is a crucial step in the planning process for regional development, as it allows for a more targeted approach to investment and development. By focusing resources on these towns, it is possible to create a more balanced and sustainable distribution of economic activity, job opportunities, and population growth across the region.
4. Growth Centres/Points: Settlements with high growth potential and special advantage of location within a region can be classified as growth centers, growth points, or service villages. These settlements are arranged in order of hierarchy from high to low and are used to plan the settlement structure within the region.
In simpler terms, growth centers, growth points, and service villages are different types of settlements that are categorized based on their potential for growth and their location within a region. Growth centers are the highest level of settlement and are typically the largest and most economically significant settlements in the region. Growth points are smaller settlements that still have significant potential for growth, while service villages are even smaller settlements that provide important services and resources to the surrounding area.
By categorizing settlements in this way, it is possible to create a more structured and efficient settlement system within the region. This allows for better resource allocation, improved access to services and resources, and more balanced development across the region as a whole.
5. Peri-Urban Areas: Peri-urban areas are regions of transition that are situated between the outer limits of urban and regional centers and the rural environment. These areas are highly porous and dynamic, with their boundaries constantly shifting as urban development continues to expand into rural, agricultural, and industrial land. Peri-urban areas may include valuable natural resources such as protected areas, forested hills, prime agricultural lands, and important wetlands, which may require conservation efforts.
Despite the constantly shifting boundaries, peri-urban zones will always exist. If planned and developed properly, these areas can provide essential services to support the lives of urban residents. For instance, peri-urban areas can serve as important sources of food and water, as well as provide spaces for recreation and relaxation.
In preparation for the development plans of metropolitan cities, peri-urban areas are often considered to be the region extending 5-8 km around the existing city, particularly in areas with populations exceeding 300,000. This helps to account for the urban spill and ensure that planning efforts can account for the unique challenges and opportunities presented by these transitional areas.
6. Urban Agglomeration: According to the 2011 Census, an urban agglomeration (UA) is a continuous urban spread that consists of a town and its adjoining outgrowths, or two or more physically contiguous towns together with or without outgrowths of such towns. To qualify as a UA, there must be at least one statutory town, and the total population of the agglomeration (i.e. all the constituents put together) should not be less than 20,000.
In different local conditions, there may be other combinations that can also be treated as urban agglomerations, provided that they satisfy the basic condition of contiguity. Some examples of urban agglomerations in India include the Greater Mumbai UA and the Delhi UA.
Urban agglomerations play a crucial role in shaping the urban landscape of India. They are centers of economic activity, culture, and innovation, and provide access to a wide range of services and amenities. By defining and recognizing urban agglomerations, policymakers can better understand and plan for the unique challenges and opportunities presented by these dynamic urban environments.
7. Out Growth: The Census of India 2011 has defined the term “Out Growths” (OG) as a viable unit such as a village or a hamlet, which is identifiable in terms of its boundaries and location. These may include areas such as railway colonies, university campuses, port areas, military camps, etc. that have come up near a statutory town outside its statutory limits but within the revenue limits of a contiguous village. The outgrowth should possess urban features in terms of infrastructure and amenities such as roads, electricity, taps, drainage system, educational institutions, post offices, medical facilities, and banks, and should be physically contiguous with the core town of the UA. The definition has been carefully crafted to ensure that the outgrowth is truly an extension of the town and provides the necessary facilities to its residents. Examples of such Out Growths are Central Railway Colony and Triveni Nagar.
8. Spatial Priority Urban Regions (SPURs): In 1988, the National Commission on Urbanisation proposed a revolutionary approach to urbanization in India. The commission identified 329 urban centers across the country as the Generators of Economic Momentum (GEMs), where all developmental activities should focus to facilitate future growth. Additionally, the commission also recognized 49 Spatial Priority Urban Regions (SPURs) based on observed growth trends, the potential for integration with the national transport network, and opportunities for investment in a particular region. This was a pioneering effort in regional planning and paved the way for expanding planned urban regions in India.
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Source- URDPFI Guidelines – Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs