Now, let’s try to understand a very important theme in Settlement Geography: the morphology of Indian cities—that is, the form, structure, and spatial layout of our cities. To begin with, we must remember one foundational truth: No city—Indian or global—follows the textbook model perfectly In urban geography, we study various models to understand how cities…
After understanding what functional classification is, the natural question is:How exactly do we classify cities based on their functions? For this, urban geographers have given us various models and techniques—some focusing on one dominant function, others taking a multi-functional perspective. Let’s explore two major models: Dominant Functional Approach – Given by C.D. Harris Let’s begin…
Across the world, towns and urban areas are classified using different criteria. This could include: But remember, there is no universal definition of a “town”. Each country and organization tailors its criteria to suit socio-economic and administrative needs. Indian Context: Census Definition of a Town Now, coming to India. The Census of India uses two…
Let’s begin with a basic but powerful question:Why do cities exist? What is their purpose? In Settlement Geography, the answer lies in the functions they perform. What are “Functions” in Geography? In the geographical context, functions refer to the economic activities that most of the working population of a place is engaged in. For instance:…
Let’s begin with a simple analogy. If a city were a human body, the CBD would be the brain and the heart — it thinks (financial and administrative functions), and it pumps (commerce and connectivity). Everything else is connected to it 😊 📌 What is a CBD? A CBD is the: You’ll find: It is…
Let’s begin by visualising. Picture a massive, overcrowded city — say Delhi. The pressure on housing, roads, schools, and hospitals is immense. People want to live close to the city, but the city is bursting at the seams.What’s the solution? Create separate towns, away from the main city, but linked to it — like satellites…
When a city grows, it rarely stops at its formal boundaries. In fact, most large cities begin to spill over into the surrounding areas, forming suburbs — like water overflowing from a cup. But what are these suburbs exactly? Let’s understand. 🔹 What Are Suburbs? 📌 Definition: Suburbs are compactly developed or rapidly developing areas…
(The Biological Blueprint for Cities) Let’s begin with the name itself — “Cellular Growth.”What comes to your mind? Biology — right? Indeed, just like cells in a biological organism grow, divide, and replicate, the cellular model in urban planning is inspired by natural systems. And this model forms the basis for systematic, planned city expansion….
Let’s begin by visualising a city. The core of the city is densely packed — lots of buildings, lots of people, high land value. Now imagine the city slowly expanding outward — like ink spreading on a blotting paper. This outward expansion of a city — especially in a low-density manner, where buildings are spaced…
Let’s begin with a very basic but profound question:Is there a strict boundary where a city ends and a village begins?The answer is no, and this ‘in-between’ zone—where the characteristics of both city and village are found—is called the Rural-Urban Fringe, often abbreviated as R-U Fringe. What Is the Urban Fringe? 👉 So, don’t think…
