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The definition of function varies across the disciplines. In political science it refers to duties, in mathematics it means the relationship between two variables and in geography it is synonymous to occupation.
Geographers have classified towns on the basis of their site, situation, size, rank, location and relative elevation. Functional Classification of towns attempts to categorize towns and cities according to their economic functions, thereby identifying their roles within urban systems. Most classifications use EMPLOYMENT and occupational data. In the functional classification approach, towns are classified on the basis of their dominant function. The functional classification of towns has been illustrated in the following paras:
1.)Administrative town
The main function of administrative cities and towns is to administer the country/state or a specific territory.It includes not only the capital cities of countries, but all the centres of provinces, states, districts and other administrative divisions of the country.
2.Defensive Towns:
During the medieval period, most of the towns and cities used to be developed on the defensive sites.Forts and garrisons used to be constructed at strategic places. The defensive towns have barracks, cantonments, and training facilities for the armed forces, airfields, and harbours for warships.Visakhapatnam, MHOW and Khadakwasla (India);
In many garrison and defensive towns, there is a clear division of land use between the civil and military authorities, so that the military installations are often at a little distance from the town or are grouped together in one part of the town. This is necessary to maintain security, though often many town people are employed by the military.
3.Cultural Centres:
There are numerous towns and cities in the world, almost in each of the countries, which perform cultural functions.The cities of Oxford and Cambridge in England are the most suitable examples of educational towns. In these towns, one may find colleges, libraries, hostels, churches, playgrounds, parks and shopping centres. The environmental pollution in these towns is almost insignificant.
4.) Collection Centres:
The mining towns, fishing Ports and lumbering centres fall under the category of collection centres/towns. There are numerous metallic, non-metallics, precious stones and Resources/”>Energy Resources which are obtained from mines.The towns which serve these mines may be small settlements serving a particular mine such as Zawar near Udaipur (Rajasthan), Bjiladela (Madhya Pradesh) and Digboi (Assam).They may be large in size such as Raniganj, Hazaribagh (Bihar), Ipoh in the tin rich Kinta valley of Malaysia, or Kuwait and Abadan in the oil producing regions of Kuwait and Tehran, respectively.Such towns may have some industries related to the mineral mines, such as smelters and refineries. The shops in such towns sell mining equipments and special clothes needed for miners.
5.) Production Centres:
Urban places, town and cities in which some kind of manufacturing Industry is the major function is known as a production centre. The size and appearance of the town are affected by the type of industry located there.
- For example, Jamshedpur, Rourkela, Bhilai, Durgapur, Dhanbad and Bhadravati in India, Pittsburgh in USA, Magnitogorsk in Russia and Birmingham in UK are dominated by large steel Plants. Such iron and steel producing towns are generally located near the coal fields.
- For the manufacturing towns, as collecting centres, transportation is very important for the transport of raw materials and the finished goods. These days such towns are generally set up on lines of Communication.
In manufacturing towns, there is a segregation of houses and establishments; the officer’s quarters may be grouped at one place and that of the labourers at the other.
6.) Towns of Diversified Functions:
As stated at the outset, towns are classified according to their major functions. So, all those towns (such as Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, etc.) can be put into a definite category in which a large number of activities are conducted. Such towns are referred as diversified in functions.
Over space and time, the functions of towns change. For example, defensive sites often become restrictive when the town expands.Thus, many towns have restricted centres which were once confined within the town walls and more extensive suburbs which grew up outside the walls or after the walls were demolished.
Shahjahanabad (old Delhi), Padova (Italy), Lahore and Rawalpindi (Pakistan), Baghdad (Iraq) and Baku (Azerbaijan) are some of the examples of such towns.
7.)Residential Towns:
In some towns, the chief function is simply to house a concentration of Population. In such areas, most of the land is devoted to houses, parks and hospitals. These towns are very- well-connected with the major cities, which enables the commuters to get to work each day.
- Resorts:
The urban places which cater to the recreation needs of people are known as resorts or recreation towns.These urban places may be based on Health-giving water (hot springs), seaside recreation, mountain climbing, cultural attractions, historical monuments, Sports facilities, national parks and attractive scenery.Resorts and recreational towns have many hotels to accommodate visitors, and also provide sporting facilities such as golf courses, swimming pools, trekking and skiing. Moreover, they have numerous entertainment facilities, such as theatres, cinemas, and night clubs and children parks.
- Transfer and Distribution Centres:
The main functions performed at transfer centres are the trade, commerce and Services. Towns which are concerned with the transfer and distribution of goods, however, have trade as their major function.
They include several types of towns. For example, market towns, sea ports and financial towns.Market towns are characterized by markets, a wide range of shops, stores, warehouses, godowns, cold storages and wholesale .markets.Market towns also have banks, insurance companies and other financial organizations. Kanpur, Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Indore, Bhopal, Patna, Lucknow, Ludhiana and Hapur in India, Norwich in England, Alexandria in Egypt, and Kumasi in Ghana are some of the examples of such towns.
Problem of Human settlement:
Some of the major problems of Urbanisation in India are
- Urban Sprawl
Urban sprawl or real expansion of the cities, both in population and geographical area, of rapidly growing cities is the root cause of urban problems. In most cities the economic base is incapable of dealing with the problems created by their excessive size
- Overcrowding
Overcrowding is a situation in which too many people live in too little space. Overcrowding is a logical consequence of over-population in urban areas. It is naturally expected that cities having a large size of population squeezed in a small space must suffer from overcrowding. This is well exhibited by almost all the big cities of India.
3.Slums and Squatter Settlements:
The natural sequel of unchecked, unplanned and haphazard Growth of urban areas is the growth and spread of slums and squatter settlements which present a striking feature in the ecological structure of Indian cities, especially of metropolitan centres.
4.)Overcrowding
Overcrowding leads to a chronic problem of shortage of houses in urban areas. This problem is specifically more acute in those urban areas where there is large influx of unemployed or underemployed immigrants who have no place to live in when they enter cities/towns from the surrounding areas.
5.)Seweage problem
Urban areas in India are almost invariably plagued with insufficient and inefficient sewage facilities. Not a single city in India is fully sewered. Resource crunch faced by the municipalities and unauthorised growth of the cities are two major causes of this pathetic state of affairs.,
The functional classification of urban settlements is a system of classifying cities according to their economic and social functions. The most common functional classification system is the one developed by the United Nations, which divides cities into four categories:
- Primate cities: These are the largest cities in a country, and they often have a disproportionate share of the country’s population, economic activity, and political power. For example, New Delhi is the primate city of India, with a population of over 31 million people. It is the center of the country’s government, economy, and culture.
- Metropolitan areas: These are large urban areas that consist of a central city and its surrounding suburbs. Metropolitan areas are often defined by commuting patterns, and they can be quite large. For example, the Delhi National Capital Region (NCR) is a metropolitan area that includes New Delhi and its surrounding suburbs. It has a population of over 28 million people, making it the second most populous metropolitan area in the world.
- Cities of intermediate size: These are cities that are smaller than metropolitan areas, but larger than small towns. Cities of intermediate size often play an important role in the regional economy, and they may be home to a number of universities, hospitals, and other important institutions. For example, Jaipur is a city of intermediate size in India. It has a population of over 3 million people, and it is the capital of the state of Rajasthan.
- Small towns: These are the smallest type of urban settlement, and they typically have a population of less than 10,000 people. Small towns often serve as the commercial and administrative centers for their surrounding rural areas. For example, Alwar is a small town in India. It has a population of over 100,000 people, and it is the administrative headquarters of the Alwar district in the state of Rajasthan.
The problems of human settlement in India are a complex and multifaceted issue. Some of the most pressing problems include:
- POVERTY: India is home to the largest number of poor people in the world, and many of these people live in urban slums. According to the World Bank, over 200 million people in India live below the Poverty Line. This means that they live on less than $1.90 per day. Poverty can lead to a number of problems, including Malnutrition, lack of Education, and poor health.
- Sanitation: India’s urban areas are often plagued by poor sanitation, which can lead to the spread of disease. According to the World Health Organization, over 600 million people in India do not have access to basic sanitation facilities. This means that they do not have access to toilets or other facilities for disposing of human waste. Poor sanitation can lead to the spread of diseases such as cholera, typhoid, and diarrhea.
- Pollution: India’s cities are some of the most polluted in the world, and this pollution can have a negative impact on human health. According to the World Health Organization, Air Pollution in India is responsible for over 1 million deaths each year. Air pollution can cause a number of health problems, including respiratory problems, heart disease, and cancer.
- Crime: India’s cities are also home to high rates of crime, which can make it difficult for people to live and work in these areas. According to the National Crime Records Bureau, there were over 3.1 million crimes reported in India in 2016. This includes crimes such as murder, rape, and robbery. High rates of crime can make people feel unsafe and can discourage Investment in urban areas.
- Traffic congestion: India’s cities are often congested with traffic, which can make it difficult to get around. According to the World Bank, India loses over $60 billion each year due to traffic congestion. Traffic congestion can cause a number of problems, including delays, pollution, and accidents.
- Housing shortage: India’s cities are facing a shortage of affordable housing, which has led to the growth of slums. According to the National Housing Bank, there is a shortage of over 11 million housing units in India. This shortage has led to the growth of slums, which are areas of informal housing that often lack basic amenities such as water, sanitation, and electricity.
These are just some of the problems that India’s urban settlements are facing. It is important to address these problems in order to improve the Quality Of Life for the people who live in these areas.
Functional classification of urban settlements
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What is the functional classification of urban settlements?
The functional classification of urban settlements is a system of classifying cities based on their economic function. -
What are the different types of functional classification of urban settlements?
The different types of functional classification of urban settlements include:- Central place theory: This theory states that cities are located at the center of a trade area and serve as a central place for the surrounding area.
- Sector model: This model states that cities are divided into different sectors, such as the central business district, the residential sector, and the Industrial Sector.
- Multiple nuclei model: This model states that cities are composed of multiple nuclei, or centers of activity.
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What are the advantages and disadvantages of functional classification of urban settlements?
The advantages of functional classification of urban settlements include:- It can help to understand the economic structure of a city.
- It can help to identify the different types of cities.
- It can help to plan for the development of cities.
The disadvantages of functional classification of urban settlements include:
* It can be difficult to classify cities into different categories.
* The categories may not be relevant to all cities.
* The categories may change over time.
Problems of human settlement in India
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What are the problems of human settlement in India?
The problems of human settlement in India include:- Poverty: A large number of people in India live in poverty.
- Lack of access to basic services: Many people in India do not have access to basic services such as education, healthcare, and sanitation.
- Overcrowding: Many cities in India are overcrowded.
- Pollution: Air and Water Pollution are major problems in many Indian cities.
- Lack of Infrastructure-2/”>INFRASTRUCTURE: Many Indian cities lack basic infrastructure such as roads, bridges, and public transportation.
- Crime: Crime is a major problem in many Indian cities.
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What are the causes of the problems of human settlement in India?
The causes of the problems of human settlement in India include:- Rapid Population Growth: The population of India is growing rapidly, which is putting a strain on resources and infrastructure.
- Industrialization: The industrialization of India has led to the growth of cities, but it has also led to problems such as pollution and overcrowding.
- Lack of planning: The development of Indian cities has often been unplanned, which has led to problems such as slums and infrastructure deficits.
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What are the solutions to the problems of human settlement in India?
The solutions to the problems of human settlement in India include:- Investing in education and healthcare: Investing in education and healthcare can help to reduce poverty and improve the quality of life for people in India.
- Providing access to basic services: Providing access to basic services such as education, healthcare, and sanitation can help to improve the lives of people in India.
- Addressing the issue of overcrowding: Addressing the issue of overcrowding can help to improve the quality of life for people in India.
- Reducing pollution: Reducing pollution can help to improve the health of people in India.
- Investing in infrastructure: Investing in infrastructure can help to improve the quality of life for people in India.
- Addressing the issue of crime: Addressing the issue of crime can help to improve the safety of people in India.
Question 1
Which of the following is not a problem of human settlement in India?
(A) Overpopulation
(B) Lack of sanitation
(C) Air pollution
(D) Lack of education
Answer
(D)
Question 2
Which of the following is not a type of urban settlement?
(A) Metropolis
(B) Megacity
(C) City
(D) Town
Answer
(C)
Question 3
Which of the following is not a factor that contributes to overpopulation in India?
(A) High birth rate
(B) Low death rate
(C) Migration from rural areas
(D) Lack of education
Answer
(D)
Question 4
Which of the following is not a problem caused by overpopulation?
(A) Overcrowding
(B) Lack of resources
(C) Pollution
(D) Lack of jobs
Answer
(D)
Question 5
Which of the following is not a way to address the problem of overpopulation?
(A) Reduce the birth rate
(B) Increase the death rate
(C) Encourage migration to rural areas
(D) Provide more education and employment opportunities
Answer
(B)
Question 6
Which of the following is not a type of pollution?
(A) Air pollution
(B) Water pollution
(C) Land pollution
(D) Noise Pollution
Answer
(D)
Question 7
Which of the following is not a cause of air pollution?
(A) Burning fossil fuels
(B) Deforestation
(C) agriculture
(D) Lack of education
Answer
(D)
Question 8
Which of the following is not a way to address the problem of air pollution?
(A) Reduce the use of fossil fuels
(B) Plant more trees
(C) Improve public transportation
(D) Provide more education and employment opportunities
Answer
(D)
Question 9
Which of the following is not a type of sanitation?
(A) Water sanitation
(B) Waste Management
(C) Personal hygiene
(D) Education
Answer
(D)
Question 10
Which of the following is not a cause of poor sanitation?
(A) Lack of access to clean water
(B) Lack of access to toilets
(C) Poor waste management practices
(D) Lack of education
Answer
(D)
Question 11
Which of the following is not a way to address the problem of poor sanitation?
(A) Provide access to clean water
(B) Provide access to toilets
(C) Improve waste management practices
(D) Provide more education and employment opportunities
Answer
(D)