🏘️ Classification of Settlements

Settlements can be classified based on size, function, population, form, and location. This classification helps planners, geographers, and policymakers understand settlement patterns, plan infrastructure, and manage urban and rural development.

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1️⃣ Based on Size / Population

Type	Population	Characteristics	Example
Hamlet	< 500	Small, scattered houses, mostly agricultural	Rural clusters in Indian villages
Village	500–5,000	Concentrated population, primary occupation agriculture	Typical Indian village
Town / Census Town	5,000–50,000	Small urban centers with basic infrastructure, markets, schools	Ajmer, Shimla
City / Municipal Corporation	50,000–1 million	Urbanized area with services, trade, administration	Pune, Jaipur
Metropolis / Mega City	> 1 million	Large urban centers, industrial and commercial hubs	Mumbai, Delhi, Shanghai

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2️⃣ Based on Function / Economic Activity

Type	Description	Example
Agricultural Settlement	Primary occupation is farming	Rural Punjab villages
Industrial Settlement	Developed around industries and factories	Jamshedpur (Tata Steel), Detroit
Commercial / Trade Settlement	Center for trade and business activities	Mumbai, Dubai
Administrative / Political Settlement	Headquarters for governance	New Delhi, Chandigarh
Mining / Resource-Based Settlement	Near natural resources like coal, minerals	Dhanbad, Sudbury (Canada)
Tourism / Religious Settlement	Centers of pilgrimage or tourism	Varanasi, Mecca, Agra

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3️⃣ Based on Pattern / Form

Type	Description	Example
Linear	Houses along a road, river, or coast	Villages along the Ganges
Nucleated / Clustered	Houses clustered around a central point (market, temple)	European medieval towns, Indian villages
Dispersed / Scattered	Individual houses widely spaced	Hill villages in Himachal Pradesh, Swiss Alps
Radial / Circular	Streets radiate from a central point	Jaipur, New Delhi sectors
Grid / Planned	Regular streets in rectangular or square pattern	Chandigarh, Kolkata central areas

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4️⃣ Based on Permanency

Type	Description	Example
Permanent Settlement	Occupied year-round	Cities, towns, villages
Temporary / Seasonal Settlement	Occupied seasonally due to agriculture, grazing, or tourism	Himalayan pastoral settlements, tribal camps

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5️⃣ Based on Location / Geographical Factors

Type	Description	Example
Coastal Settlement	Located near the sea; often trade or fishing-based	Mumbai, Chennai
Riverine Settlement	Located near rivers for water and fertile land	Varanasi, Cairo
Hill / Mountain Settlement	Located on slopes or hills; dispersed	Shimla, Darjeeling
Desert Settlement	Sparse settlements due to harsh climate	Rajasthan desert villages
Forest Settlement	Settlements in forested areas	Amazon Basin communities

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6️⃣ Other Classifications

• Urban vs Rural Settlements:
  • Urban: Cities, towns, metropolises with infrastructure and services
  • Rural: Villages, hamlets, small communities with agriculture as primary activity
• Formal vs Informal Settlements:
  • Formal: Planned with proper infrastructure (Chandigarh, Navi Mumbai)
  • Informal: Unplanned, slums, or squatter settlements (Dharavi, Mumbai)
• Hierarchical / Functional Classification:
  • Central Place Theory: Settlements classified as hamlets, villages, towns, cities based on the services they provide.

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✅ Key Takeaways

• Settlements are classified based on size, function, pattern, location, and permanency.
• Understanding classification helps in urban planning, infrastructure allocation, and regional development.
• Classification also guides policy-making for housing, transport, environmental management, and economic planning.