1. Definition of Urban Centres
An urban centre is a human settlement that has distinct characteristics compared to rural settlements, primarily in terms of population size, density, occupational structure, infrastructure, and functions.
In India, the Census of India defines an urban area based on two criteria:
Statutory towns: All places with a municipality, corporation, cantonment board, or notified town area committee.
Census towns: Places that satisfy the following conditions:
Minimum population of 5,000
At least 75% of male working population engaged in non-agricultural activities
Population density of at least 400 persons per sq. km
Thus, urban centres are places that act as nodes of administration, trade, industry, commerce, and services, and often serve as focal points for surrounding rural areas.
2. Concept of Rural–Urban Continuum
The rural–urban continuum suggests that rural and urban areas are not strictly separate categories but exist along a spectrum, with many intermediate forms of settlement in between.
Continuum implies:
A gradual transition from purely rural villages → semi-rural/small towns → medium towns → metropolitan cities.
Settlements share overlapping characteristics rather than being sharply distinct.
Examples in India:
Urban villages on the periphery of Delhi, Gurgaon, or Bangalore where traditional agrarian life coexists with urban services and real estate development.
Small market towns that act as service centers for surrounding rural populations.
Implication:The continuum reflects functional interdependence:
Rural areas supply food, raw materials, and labor.
Urban areas provide markets, education, healthcare, jobs, and modern amenities.
3. Concept of Rural–Urban Dichotomy
The rural–urban dichotomy is the traditional view that rural and urban settlements are fundamentally different and separate in terms of structure, function, and way of life.
Rural areas:
Agriculture-based economy
Low population density
Close-knit social relations, traditional lifestyles
Limited infrastructure and services
Urban areas:
Industry, trade, services-based economy
High population density
Individualistic lifestyles, cosmopolitan culture
Advanced infrastructure and services (transport, education, healthcare, housing)
Dichotomy Perspective:This view assumes a sharp boundary between rural and urban societies, often highlighting contrasts in occupation, social structure, values, and governance.
4. Rural–Urban Continuum vs. Dichotomy
5. Conclusion
Urban centres are hubs of population, economic activity, and services defined by statutory and census criteria.
The rural–urban dichotomy represents a simplistic division, useful for classification but less accurate in practice.
The rural–urban continuum better reflects the reality of India’s settlement pattern, where villages, towns, and cities are interconnected and often share mixed characteristics.
