Urbanisation means an increase in the proportion of people living in urban areas compared to rural areas. An urban area is a built-up area such as a town or city. A rural area is an area of countryside. As a country industrialises, the number of people living in urban areas trends to increase. The UK and many other MEDCs urbanized during the 18^thand 19^thcenturies. People migrated from rural areas to urban areas .Where there was employment in the new factories. The area of cities known as the inner city developed during this time as rows of terraced housing were built for workers.

Urbanization is the process of increasing population growth in cities and suburbs; it also includes the increase of industrialization. There is more involvement in government, industry and trade in urban areas. The word urbanization derives from "urb," which is the Latin word for city. The United States and Europe had the majority of urbanization occur during the Industrial Revolution in the 19th century. There is no universal standard of how urbanized areas are classified. In America, an urbanized area has a population of at least 50,000.

Table-1: Rural Urban Population in India (2011)

	Person	%
Total	1,210,193,422	100
Rural	833,087,662	68.84
Urban	377,105,760	31.16

Urbanisation is inevitable due to technological advances and an increasing population. Industrialization allows people to make a living in methods other than farming; this has led to many people abandoning the rural lifestyle. Urbanisation is a process that is occurring in nearly every part of the world inhabited by humans. It has led to a greater quality of life for many, but it also has its challenges.

Urbanisation in India was mainly caused after independence, due to adoption of mixed system of economy by the country which gave rise to the development of private sector. Urbanisation is taking place at a faster rate in India. Population residing in urban areas in India, according to 1901 census, was 11.4%. This count increased to 28.53% according to 2001 census, and crossing 30% as per 2011 census, standing at 31.16%.According to a survey by UN State of the World Population report in 2007, by 2030, 40.76% of country's population is expected to reside in urban areas.As per World Bank, India, along with China, Indonesia, Nigeria and the United States, will lead the world's urban population surge by 2050^.1

After independence, India faced poverty, unemployment and economic backwardness. The first Prime Minister of India, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, focused on the domain of science and technology, for economic development.The mixed economy system was adopted, resulting in the growth of the Public sector in India. The contribution of the agricultural sector to the GDP of India started to decline and the percentage contribution from secondary sector increased. The period after 1941, witnessed rapid growth of four metropolitan cities in India, which were Kolkata, Delhi, Mumbai, and Chennai. The nation's economy saw a rise due to industrial revolution and the invention of new technologies increased the standard of living of people living in urban areas.The growth of public sector resulted in development of public transport, roads, water supply, electricity, and hence the infrastructure of urban areas.²

Maharashtra was the most urbanised state in India till 1991, stood behind Tamil Nadu in 2001 and third after it in 2011, with Kerala being first, with the urban-total state population ratio. However, Maharashtra's urban population of 41 million, far exceeds that of Tamil Nadu which is at 27 million, as per the 2001 census.³

Table-2: Urbanisation in India

	Urban population(%)
1901	10.9
1911	10.6
1921	11.4
1931	12.1
1941	13.9
1051	17.3
1961	18.0
1971	19.9
1981	23.73
1991	25.72
2001	27.78
2011	31.16

Source: Census2011

Urban and Rural population in 2011

Definition

Urban Areas

Urban Units (or Town)

1. All places with a municipality,corporation,cantonment board or notified town area committee,etc.(known s Statutory town)

2. All other places which satisfied the following criteria(Known as Census Town)

(a) A minimum population of 5000

(b) At least 75% of the male main workers engaged in non-agricultural pursuits;and

DEMOGRAPHIC ASPECTS OF UNBANISATION.

1 Increment in the population of urban area.

2 Migration of rural population to urban area.

Table-3: Urbanisation Trends In India

Year	Percentage increase
1951-61	26.4
1961-71	38.3
1971-81	46.2
1981-91	30.7
1991-2001	31.2
2001-2011	32.2

Causes

Living in a rural area provides less job opportunities. Farming is one of the major forms of income in rural areas. The unpredictable nature of environmental factors, such as rain and drought, leads to a fluctuating income. The standard of living is difficult to improve; therefore, families opt to move to urban areas. There is a greater variety of jobs in cities. Lack of space in rural areas due to a growing population also leads to urbanization.

Causes of urbanisation in India

The main causes of urbanisation in India are:

· Expansion in government services, as a result of the Second World War

· Migration of people during the partition of India

· The Industrial Revolution

· Eleventh five year plan that aimed at urbanisation for the economic development of India

· Economic opportunities are just one reason people move into cities

· Infrastructure facilities in the urban areas

· Growth of private sector after 1990 ⁴

METHODS OF MEASURING URBANISATION

— Ratio of urban population to total population.

— Urban rural growth differential.

— General growth rate.

Table-4: Trends in Urban Distribution of Population

YEAR	Urban population (lac)	Urban% of total population	No.of towns	Urban/Rural ratio
1901	256	10.8	1827	1:8.1
1951	624	17.3	2843	1:4.7
2001	2850	27.8	5161	1:2.6
2011	3771	31.2	7933	1:2.2

Advantages of Urbanization

After the industrial revolution urban population all over the world is increasing.There is a rapid migration of rural people to urban areas for jobs and better living . As a result the population in the towns and cities are increasing and rural population is dwindling .The rapid in rush of people to the urban areas is pressuring gits limited space and cause all type of health and environmental hazards.

1. Growth in industrial production –The production in various industrial sectors like cement ,iron and steel,textile ,fertilizers etc.are helping in the economic growth of country .Export increase and this forein reserve increase.

2. Growth in trade and commerce –Urbanization helps the nation’s business sector .Rural people came to the urban places with their goods.

3. Development in tourism industries-people from foreign countries are attracted to good cities and town having better transport facilities .Tourism is a good of foreign currency for a country.

4. Improvement in science ,culture-Urban places are the meeting point of all good cultures of various localities ,education,science and technology developments take place in urban places improving the society as a whole.

The convenience of goods and services is one of the benefits of urbanization. There is access to more educational and medical services, which allows increased literacy and better health. There is also less

use of personal vehicles and more availability of public transportation. There is more social integration in urbanized areas. People of different religions, ethnic backgrounds, social classes and races reside in the same area. This leads to more understanding and acceptance of differences. Another benefit of urbanization is the possibility of greater earning potential because of the availability of more jobs.

Challenges

The rapidity of growth in urbanized areas is a challenge. Although there are more opportunities, the constantly increasing population leads to more competition. This leads to large amounts of people that are out of work and extremely poor. Pollution is an issue that plagues many urbanized areas. Factories and vehicles emit fumes into the air, which may lead to respiratory issues. The development of more area to build houses and businesses negatively affects the environment. The destruction of habitats displaces many animals. It may also be difficult to finance the increase of an urbanized area due to its rapid growth.

More than 50 percent of people worldwide live in cities, and the World Health Organization predicts that this proportion will continue to increase. People migrate to cities for many reasons, including family ties and job opportunities. Urbanization changes the economic, social and political setup of a country or region and has several major negative impacts. The rapid inflows of rural population to urban places give rise to housing problem and thus slum are developed in these places.

Lack of Jobs

Urbanization leads to a deficit in jobs. Businesses and governments cannot produce enough jobs to meet the demand of a fast-growing population. Unemployment rates soar as a result, causing people to apply for government-funded programs and benefits. The government loses money, reducing the amount of energy, health care, education, public transportation, waste management and physical security offered. Poverty spreads and stunts economic growth. The increase in rural population effects the agricultural productions due to shortage of workers in rural areas .

Air Pollution

Suspended particulates in the air come from motor vehicle fuel combustion. Soot, dust, lead and smoke make up the particulates. They pose a serious threat to health. Lead alone can cause brain damage, learning disabilities and premature death in children. The World Health Organization stated suspended particulate concentration should add up to less than 90 micrograms per cubic meter. The suspended particulate concentration soars over that measurement in cities with a population of 8 million or more. The increase in population in urban places pressurize water and sanitation facilities.It results in environmental pollution ,health hazards.

Biodiversity Threatened

City growth destroys natural areas flowing with new and endangered animal and plant life. No matter how small, each species plays an important role in how the Earth works. Without this variation in life, humans suffer. Biodiversity protects water and soil from contamination, stores and recycles nutrients, breaks down and absorbs pollutants and helps areas to recover faster from disasters. Biodiversity also provides people with medicine, food and air. Urbanization limits our access to these resources.

Disease

Urbanization has led to reduced physical activity and unhealthy nutrition. The World Health Organization predicts that by 2020, noncommunicable diseases such as heart disease will account for 69 percent of all deaths in developing countries. Another urbanization-related threat is infectious diseases. Air travel carries bacteria and viruses from one country to the next. In addition, people relocating from rural areas are not immune to the same diseases as long-time city residents, which puts them at a greater risk of contracting a disease.

Crime

Rapid urbanization affects crime rates. Residents of different beliefs and behaviors thrown together suddenly do not have time to adjust or adapt to different viewpoints, leading to violence. The government's inability to prevent widespread poverty causes an increase in theft and other crimes. Frustration and alienation linked to a lower status, limited access to education, money and other resources push young people to join organized crime. The unemployment increases in urban areas.Due to the various criminal activities ,corruption etc.increase affecting the law and order system.

Top of Form

How to stop rapid Urbanization

1. No single individual can prevent urbanization. Government should make law & do some activities for that.

2. Make school and college in Rural areas .So that rural children don’t have to come to cities for education.

3. Everyday usable materials should be sold at cheap rates in rural areas.

4. Daily wages in rural areas should be equal or as per city.There are the few thing which can prevent urbanization to same extent.

REFERENCES:

1. Singh, Kamaldeo Narain (1978). Urban Development In India. Abhinav Publications. ISBN 978-81-7017-080-8. Retrieved 13 June 2012

2. Sivaramakrishnan, K.C., Dasgupta, Biplab & Buch, Mahesh ( 1993). Urbanisation in India: Basic Services and People's Participation. Concept Publishing Company. p. 2. ISBN 978-81-7022-480-8

3. Singh, Sunil kumar, Pathak, Ganesh Kumar’(2003)Trends in Urban population’Yozna,july

4. Shivhare,J.P.&Yadev,R.N.’Trends in Urban population in Chhattisgarh’(2006)Research Link,March-May,65-66

5. . "Rural-Urban distribution of population" (2013). Census of India Press Release. Retrieved 19 November 2013.

6. "The Indian Industrial Revolution". (2012)Srcindore.org. Retrieved 15 June 2012

7. "Role of private sector in India’s growth ~ Business News This Week". Businessnewsthisweek.com. 8 February 2009. Retrieved 21 June 2012

8. Business Standard (15 June 2012). "Victims of urbanisation: India, Indonesia and China". Rediff.com. Retrieved 15 June 2012.

9. Census 2011

Received on 18.03.2016 Modified on 26.04.2016

Int. J. Ad. Social Sciences 4(2): April- June, 2016; Page 129-132