Urban Agglomeration

An Urban Agglomeration (UA) refers to a continuous urban spread consisting of a core city (or towns) together with its adjoining outgrowths or physically contiguous towns that have developed around it. It represents a large and integrated urban area formed due to the natural expansion of cities and the merging of nearby settlements as a result of population growth, industrialisation, and infrastructural development.
Urban Agglomerations are important for urban planning and governance, as they highlight the spatial extent of urbanisation and the interconnected nature of modern cities and their surrounding areas.

Definition

According to the Census of India, an Urban Agglomeration (UA) is defined as:

“A continuous urban spread constituting a town and its adjoining outgrowths, or two or more physically contiguous towns together with or without outgrowths of such towns.”

The Census further clarifies that:

• An Urban Agglomeration must comprise at least one statutory town.
• The total population of all the constituents (towns and outgrowths) should not be less than 20,000 as per the previous census.

Thus, an Urban Agglomeration is essentially a cluster of urban settlements that are physically and functionally integrated.

Components of an Urban Agglomeration

1. Core Town (Statutory Town):
   • A municipality, corporation, cantonment board, or notified town area with its own urban governance structure.
   • It serves as the nucleus around which urban expansion occurs.
2. Outgrowths (OGs):
   • Areas adjoining the main city or town that exhibit urban characteristics, such as:
     • Developed residential colonies,
     • Industrial estates,
     • Railway colonies,
     • Educational or institutional campuses.
   • These are located outside the statutory limits but are contiguous and dependent on the core city.
3. Contiguous Towns:
   • Smaller towns that have grown physically close to the main city and merged into a single urban spread due to expansion.

Characteristics of Urban Agglomerations

• Spatial Continuity:
  • Consists of physically connected urban areas without rural gaps.
• Functional Integration:
  • The towns and outgrowths are linked through economic, social, and transport networks.
• Population Density:
  • High density due to concentration of industries, services, and housing.
• Economic Centrality:
  • The core city functions as a commercial, industrial, and administrative hub.
• Infrastructural Linkages:
  • Shared utilities like roads, water supply, waste management, and transport systems.
• Administrative Overlaps:
  • Multiple local bodies or authorities may govern different parts of the same agglomeration.

Classification of Urban Agglomerations in India

Based on population size and spatial characteristics, Urban Agglomerations are classified into:

1. Metropolitan Urban Agglomerations:
   • Population exceeds 1 million (10 lakh).
   • Examples: Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad.
2. Class I Urban Agglomerations:
   • Population between 100,000 and 1 million.
3. Medium and Small Urban Agglomerations:
   • Population between 20,000 and 100,000.

Examples of Major Urban Agglomerations in India

Importance of Urban Agglomerations

1. Economic Growth Engines:
   • Serve as centres of commerce, industry, and innovation.
   • Generate a significant share of national income and employment.
2. Urbanisation Indicators:
   • Reflect the intensity and spatial spread of urbanisation.
3. Integrated Infrastructure Planning:
   • Enable coordinated urban planning for housing, transportation, and public utilities.
4. Labour Market Expansion:
   • Attract large-scale migration and promote diversified employment opportunities.
5. Cultural and Educational Centres:
   • Host major educational institutions, cultural hubs, and service industries.

Challenges Associated with Urban Agglomerations

1. Urban Sprawl:
   • Unplanned expansion leads to environmental degradation and encroachment of agricultural land.
2. Inadequate Infrastructure:
   • Pressure on roads, housing, water supply, sanitation, and waste management systems.
3. Traffic Congestion and Pollution:
   • Increased vehicle use results in air pollution and mobility issues.
4. Informal Settlements:
   • Proliferation of slums and inadequate housing due to rapid migration.
5. Administrative Fragmentation:
   • Overlapping jurisdictions among multiple local bodies hinder coordinated governance.
6. Resource Inequality:
   • Economic disparities between the core city and peripheral areas.
7. Environmental Concerns:
   • Depletion of green spaces, rising waste levels, and water contamination.

Urban Planning and Policy Framework

To manage the growth of Urban Agglomerations, the Government of India has introduced several urban development initiatives:

• Smart Cities Mission: Promotes sustainable and technology-driven urban infrastructure.
• Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT): Focuses on water supply, sewerage, and green spaces.
• National Urban Policy Framework (NUPF): Provides guidelines for integrated regional urban planning.
• Metropolitan Planning Committees (MPCs): Established under the 74th Constitutional Amendment Act for coordinated development of large agglomerations.
• Master Plans and Regional Plans: Prepare long-term frameworks for land use, transport, and environmental management.

Significance in India’s Urbanisation

Urban Agglomerations are a key indicator of India’s urban transition, reflecting how cities expand beyond their administrative boundaries to form complex metropolitan regions. They play a pivotal role in:

• Enhancing productivity through agglomeration economies.
• Facilitating regional development and innovation clusters.
• Strengthening national and global economic competitiveness.

However, sustainable management of these agglomerations requires integrated governance, inclusive urban policies, and investment in resilient infrastructure.

Conclusion

An Urban Agglomeration (UA) symbolises the spatial and functional integration of urban areas, where a core city merges with its adjoining settlements to form a continuous urban region. In India, such agglomerations are the driving force behind economic growth, innovation, and demographic change.