Classification of settlements – Track2Training


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.

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

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

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

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

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

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.

✅ 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.

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