Urban growth is on the rise. The first urban settlement that reached a population of around one million was in London in 1810 A.D. In 1800, only 3% of the global population lived in cities. 

Classification of Urban Settlements

Urban area’ classification varies per country. Here are the common bases of classification of urban settlement: population size, administrative setup, and occupational structure.

Population Size

1. The lowest population size for a settlement to be designated as urban is 2000 in Portugal and Argentina, 2500 in Thailand and the U.S.A., 1500 in Colombia, 5000 in India, etc.
2. Besides the population size, the 400-person density per sq. km and the share of non-agricultural labourers are taken into account by India.

Administration Setup

1. Classifying a settlement as urban in certain countries is based on the administrative setup.
2. For instance, in India, a settlement is classified as urban when it has a Notified Area Council, Municipality, or Cantonment Board.

Occupational Structure

1. In certain countries like India, in addition to the population size, economic activities are also taken into consideration while designating a settlement as urban.
2. In Italy, a settlement is designated as urban when more than 50 % of its economically productive population is occupied with non-agriculture occupation. India has set its standard at 75%.

Location

1. Location centers of urban areas are examined as per the reference of their functions. For instance, the sitting requirements of a holiday resort vary from an industrial town, seaport, or military center.
2. Strategic towns need sites that offer a natural defense, mining towns need the presence of valuable minerals, tourist centers require attractive marine beaches or scenery, industrial towns need local supplies and raw materials, ports require harbors, etc.
3. Besides the site, the situation also plays a crucial role in the town expansions. For instance, the urban areas that are located close to mandatory trade routes have experienced more rapid development.

Developments have occurred because of urbanization

1. Changes in ancient towns and food preferences.
2. Utilization of development.
3. Women are joining the workforce.
4. Modern procedures for transportation and communication. Phones, for instance, have become common everywhere.
5. Focus on education.
6. Development of institutional challenges like banks, mail centres, etc.
7.  Consumer awareness in rural areas. 

Hence, basic changes in the way of life of town individuals might be observed. Indian towns have ingested the urban culture and ways of life. It is a sad reality that not all towns in India have the honour of modernization.

The impacts of urbanization in India:

Fundamental changes in ancient towns have occurred because of the unprecedented speed of urbanization.

Some of the effects of urbanization: 

Positive Impact

1. An improvement in one’s standard of living. 
2. Opportunities for work in metropolitan regions.
3. Transportation and communication accessibility.

When urbanization is restricted to an acceptable level, it is suitable for everyone. Uncontrolled migration of people from rural areas to cities has many negative impacts.

Negative outcome

1. Overpopulation Issues In Urban Development

The massive population is an enormous issue in urban development in metropolitan areas. It has incited lower personal satisfaction, the increment of slums, etc.

2. Joint Family Disintegration

It is challenging to keep a joint family because of the rising expenses for essentials in the metropolitan areas. Individuals prefer nuclear families.

3. Increased cost for essential items

The huge average cost is the fundamental issue in the urban development of interest in metropolitan areas. Places like Mumbai and Bengaluru are costly, and people have to work hard to sustain themselves.

4. Growing Crime Rates

Urban regions are notable for having an alarming rate of criminal activities. In the metropolitan areas, theft, dacoity, murder, deluding, pickpocketing, assault, and other illegal activities are widespread.

5. Unsurprising Relations

Impersonal relations depict metropolitan center interests. In urban areas, the possibility of privacy and peaceful life is non-existent. Life in the city is incredibly challenging, and people might have mental health issues. Individuals are selfish and uninterested in people.

6. Pollution

Pollution is a massive issue in industrialized metropolitan areas. The main factor behind pollution is the large number of vehicles for transportation.

7. Stress

Stress is a part of city living, affecting family relationships.

Planning in urbanization 

Planning is primarily centralized, and state planning boards and commissions have yet to issue specific planning strategies, relying instead on the Planning Commission. This is expected to change under the current administration. As the planning commission has been eliminated, the emphasis is now on improving the federal system and strengthening the states.

In fact, for large cities, the plans have grown outmoded and do not represent the concerns of local urban residents; this is something that the Metropolitan Planning Committee must address in accordance with the 74th Amendment Act’s regulations. To meet the requirements of the city people, decentralized and inclusive planning is now required.

There is also a scarcity of human resources for large-scale planning. State planning bureaus and national planning bodies desperately need qualified planners. Land use, infrastructure problems, ecological sustainability, social integration, risk mitigation, economic output, and economic diversification are areas where planners should expand their reach from physical to integrated planning.

Conclusion

As a result, we can conclude that urbanization is increasing in India daily, with full support for possibilities and a high standard of living. However, as urbanization accelerates, it creates obstacles to balanced, fair, and inclusive growth. People learn about each other’s cultures and share knowledge, which helps break down the boundaries that previously existed between people. In reality, societal structures are dispersing, such as family structures transitioning from joint to nuclear.