2. Urbanization and Associated phenomenon

There is no common global definition of what constitutes an urban settlement. As a result, the urban definition employed by national statistical offices varies widely across countries, and in some cases has changed over time within a country. The criteria for classifying an area as urban may be based on one or a combination of characteristics, such as: a minimum population threshold; population density; proportion employed in non-agricultural sectors; the presence of infrastructure such as paved roads, electricity, piped water or sewers; and the presence of education or health services.

In this section, we will discuss different definitions and phenomenon’s associated with the urban areas. It includes Census definition of Urban areas, Urban Agglomeration, Over- Urbanization, Sub Urbanization, Counter Urbanization and Census towns.

In 1961 census, 'town' was defined and determined on the basis of number of empirical tests:

♤ a minimum population of 5000

♤ a density of not less than 1,000 per square mile,

♤ three-fourth of the occupations of the working population should be outside of agriculture.

♤ the place should have a few characteristics and amenities such as newly founded industrial areas, large housing settlements and places of tourist importance and civic amenities.