Chapter – 2

Human Settlements

In this post we have given the detailed notes of class 12 Geography Book 2 Chapter 2 (Human Settlements) in English. These notes are useful for the students who are going to appear in class 12 board exams.

Chapter 2: Human Settlements

What is a Human Settlement?

• A human settlement is any place where people live and interact with each other and their environment.  
• Settlements can be temporary or permanent, ranging from a small camp of nomads to a megacity with millions of residents.  
• The process of settlement involves people establishing a place to live and utilizing the surrounding area for resources and economic activities.  

Types of Settlements

• Rural Settlements:
  • Typically, smaller and less densely populated than urban settlements.  
  • The majority of the population is engaged in primary activities, such as agriculture, fishing, forestry, or mining.  
  • Often characterized by strong community ties and a close relationship with the natural environment.  
• Urban Settlements:
  • Larger and more densely populated than rural settlements.  
  • The economy is based on secondary activities (manufacturing, processing) and tertiary activities (services, trade, administration).  
  • Offer a wider range of amenities and services, such as education, healthcare, and cultural institutions.  
  • Social interactions are often more formal and less personal than in rural areas.  

Differences between Rural and Urban Settlements

Types of Rural Settlements in India

• Clustered: Houses are close together, often in a recognizable pattern (rectangular, radial, linear). Common in fertile plains and northeastern states.  
• Semi-clustered: Settlement is fragmented, often due to social or ethnic factors. One or more sections of society live away from the main cluster. Common in Gujarat and Rajasthan.  
• Hamleted: Several units physically separated but sharing a common name. Often motivated by social and ethnic factors. Common in the middle and lower Ganga plain, Chhattisgarh, and lower valleys of the Himalayas.  
• Dispersed: Isolated huts or hamlets in remote areas. Caused by fragmented terrain and limited habitable areas. Common in Meghalaya, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and Kerala.  

Factors affecting Rural Settlement Patterns

• Physical: Terrain, altitude, climate, water availability  
• Cultural/Ethnic: Social structure, caste, religion  
• Security: Defence against theft and robbery  
• Economic: Availability of resources and livelihood opportunities  

Urban Settlements

• Compact and larger than rural settlements.  
• Non-agricultural activities: Manufacturing, services, administration.  
• Linked to surrounding rural areas: Exchange of goods and services.  
• Urban centres provide:
  • Employment opportunities
  • Education and healthcare facilities
  • Cultural and recreational activities
  • Administrative and governance functions

Definition of Urban Settlement (Census of India 1991)

• Minimum population of 5,000.  
• 75% of male workers in non-agricultural activities.  
• Population density of at least 400 people per square kilometer.  

Evolution of Towns in India

• Ancient Towns: Developed as religious and cultural centres (e.g., Varanasi, Prayag).  
• Medieval Towns: Headquarters of kingdoms and fort towns (e.g., Delhi, Hyderabad).  
• Modern Towns: Developed by Europeans as trading ports and administrative centres (e.g., Mumbai, Chennai).  

Urbanization in India

• Level of urbanization: Percentage of the urban population to the total population.  
• India’s urbanization level in 2011: 31.16% (low compared to developed countries).  
• Urban population growth: Increased eleven-fold during the 20th century.  
• Recent growth rate: Slowed down in the last two decades.  
• Factors contributing to urbanization:
  • Industrialization
  • Economic development
  • Migration from rural to urban areas
  • Improved transportation and communication

Functional Classification of Towns

• Administrative Towns:
  • These towns primarily serve as administrative centers for larger regions.  
  • They house government offices, headquarters of various departments, and seats of political power.  
  • Examples include Chandigarh, New Delhi, and Bhopal, which are the capital cities of their respective states/territories.  
• Industrial Towns:
  • These towns have a strong industrial base and are known for manufacturing and production activities.  
  • They attract industries due to factors like access to raw materials, labor, and transportation networks.  
  • Examples include Mumbai, Jamshedpur (known for steel production), and Bhilai (known for iron and steel production).  
• Transport Towns:
  • These towns play a crucial role in transportation networks, facilitating the movement of goods and people.  
  • They may be port cities involved in import and export activities, like Kandla and Kochi.  
  • They can also be inland transport hubs, like Agra, which connects various parts of northern India.  
• Commercial Towns:
  • These towns specialize in trade and commerce, serving as centers for buying and selling goods.  
  • They often have well-developed marketplaces, financial institutions, and business infrastructure.  
  • Kolkata, a major trading hub in eastern India, is an example of a commercial town.  
• Mining Towns:
  • These towns develop in mineral-rich areas and are associated with the extraction and processing of minerals.  
  • Raniganj and Jharia, known for coal mining, are examples of mining towns.  
• Garrison/Cantonment Towns:
  • These towns are established as military bases or centers for defense purposes.  
  • They house military personnel, barracks, and training facilities.  
  • Ambala and Jalandhar, with their significant military presence, are examples of garrison/cantonment towns.  
• Educational Towns:
  • These towns are known for their educational institutions, attracting students and scholars.  
  • They often have a concentration of universities, colleges, and research centers.  
  • Roorkee, home to the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), and Varanasi, with its renowned Banaras Hindu University (BHU), are examples of educational towns.  
• Religious/Cultural Towns:
  • These towns hold religious or cultural significance and attract pilgrims and tourists.  
  • They may have famous temples, shrines, historical sites, or cultural events.  
  • Varanasi, Mathura, and Amritsar, with their important religious sites, are examples of religious/cultural towns.  
• Tourist Towns:
  • These towns are popular tourist destinations, offering scenic beauty, historical attractions, or recreational activities.  
  • Nainital and Mussoorie, known for their hill stations, and Shimla, a popular tourist spot in the Himalayas, are examples of tourist towns.

Smart Cities Mission

• Objective: Promote sustainable and inclusive development with core infrastructure and a clean environment.  
• Focus: Compact areas with replicable models.  
• Key features:
  • Smart solutions for infrastructure and services
  • Disaster resilience
  • Efficient use of resources
  • Affordable services

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