Topics
Introduction to Indian Society
- Study of Indian Society: Sociological Connections with History and Anthropology
- Study of Indian Society
- Religious Beliefs and Practices in Ancient India
- Religion in Ancient Indian Civilizations
- Jainism and Buddhism in Ancient India
- Religious Beliefs and Practices in Medieval India
- Status of Women in Indian Society
- Nature of Education in Ancient and Medieval India
- Social Life in Ancient and Medieval India
- Urbanisation in Ancient India
- Concept of Sociological Imagination
- Colonial Period in India
- Effects of Colonialisation in India
- Factors Affecting Post-Independence India
- Overview of Introduction to Indian Society
Segments of Indian Society
- Introduction to Segments of Indian Society
- The Tribal Community in India
- Exploitation and Problems of the Indian Tribal Community
- Tribal Development in India
- The Rural Community in India
- Rural Development in India (Sociological Perspective)
- The Urban Community in India
- Urban Development in India
- Overview of Segments of Indian Society
Diversity and Unity in Indian Society
- Introduction of Diversity and Unity in Indian Society
- Diversity in Indian Society
- Unity in Diversity
- Challenges to National Unity
- Factors that Are Responsible for Economic Inequality in Society
- Overview of Diversity and Unity in Indian Society
Processes of Social Change in India
- Industrialisation
- Urbanisation in India
- Modernisation
- Digitalisation
- Factors Responsible for Social Change
- Overview of Processes of Social Change in India
Social Movements in India
- Meaning and Nature of Social Movement
- Types of Social Movements
- Causes of Social Movements
- Social Movements and Social Change
- Womens’ Movement in India
- Workers’ Movements
- Farmer's Movements
- Environmental Movement in India
- Overview of Social Movements in India
Social Problems in India
- Social Problem
- Ageing
- The Problems of Ageing
- Measures to Tackle the Problems of Ageing
- Concept of Unemployment
- Causes of Unemployment
- General Measures to Reduce Unemployment
- Farmers’ Suicide
- Causes of Farmers’ Suicide
- Consequences of Farmers’ Suicides
- Measures to Tackle the Problem of Farmer Suicides
- Domestic Violence
- Causes of Domestic Violence
- Consequences of Domestic Violence
- Measures to Deal with Domestic Violence
- Addiction (Substance, Internet, Mobile)
- Types of Addiction
- Causes of Addiction
- Consequences of Addiction
- Measures to Tackle Addiction Problems
- Overview of Social Problems in India
Passages
- Passages
- Definition: Urban Development
- Importance
- Definition: The National Commission on Urbanisation (NCU)
- NCU's Vision for Balanced Urban Growth
- Major Urban Development Programmes (1980s–1990s)
- Recent Urban Development Initiatives (Post-2014)
- Examples of Challenges in Urban Development
- Way Forward: Sustainable Urban India
- Key Takeaways
Maharashtra State Board: Class 12
Definition : Urban Development
Urban development means improving and planning cities so that people have better housing, transport, environment, and services for a good quality of life.
Maharashtra State Board: Class 12
Importance
- Cities are the centres of progress — they generate almost 60% of India’s national income.
- However, rapid growth brings challenges like slums, high living costs, and pollution.
- A strong India needs clean, inclusive, and planned cities to support its economic, social, and cultural development.
Maharashtra State Board: Class 12
Definition : The National Commission on Urbanisation (NCU)
The National Commission on Urbanisation (NCU) was a body set up by the Government of India in 1986 and chaired by Charles Correa to study how cities were growing and to suggest ways to promote balanced, planned, and sustainable urban development across the country.
Maharashtra State Board: Class 12
NCU's Vision for Balanced Urban Growth
| Focus Area | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Spatial Planning | Create a balanced hierarchy of towns and cities. |
| Population Balance | Distribute people across rural and urban regions. |
| Growth Centres | Develop small and medium cities to reduce metro pressure. |
| Counter-Magnets | New planned towns that attract migrants away from big cities. |
| Service Equality | Provide similar quality services to rural and urban citizens. |
Maharashtra State Board: Class 12
Major Urban Development Programmes (1980s–1990s)
| Programme | Aim | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Basic Services for the Poor (UBSP) | Improve housing & sanitation for slum dwellers. | Community-level infrastructure. |
| Environmental Improvement of Urban Slums (EIUS) | Sanitation and drainage. | Urban hygiene. |
| Integrated Development of Small and Medium Towns (IDSMT) | Reduce metro dependence. | Regional balance. |
| Housing and Urban Development Corporation (HUDCO) | Finance affordable housing. | Public–private funding. |
| Mega City Project | Support major metros. | Urban transport and water systems. |
| Integrated Urban Poverty Eradication Programme (IUPEP) | Employment for the urban poor. | Skill and livelihood focus. |
Maharashtra State Board: Class 12
Recent Urban Development Initiatives (Post-2014)
| Mission | Objective | Highlight |
|---|---|---|
| Smart Cities Mission | Create 100 modern, tech-enabled cities. | CCTV-based traffic management in Indore. |
| AMRUT (Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation) | Improve water supply, sewerage, and green spaces. | 500 mid-sized cities. |
| PMAY (Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana - Urban) | ‘Housing for All by 2022.’ | Subsidised housing loans for EWS families. |
| HRIDAY (Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana) | Preserve heritage cities. | Revamp of Varanasi ghats. |
| Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban) | Clean & sanitary cities. | Indore: 6-time ‘Cleanest City’ winner. |
| Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) | Urban infrastructure & governance reform. | Public transport & housing modernisation. |
Maharashtra State Board: Class 12
Examples of Challenges in Urban Development
| Challenge | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Resource Crunch | Only 3–4% of India’s total plan outlay goes to urban development. | Limited funds for local projects. |
| Housing Shortage | Quick urban population growth leads to slums. | Dharavi (Mumbai). |
| Environmental Stress | Air and water pollution rise with population. | Delhi’s air quality issues. |
| Governance Complexity | Overlap of local and state responsibilities. | Conflicting authorities in urban transport. |
| Economic Inequality | The urban income gap is increasing. | Rich-poor divide in metro cities. |
Maharashtra State Board: Class 12
Way Forward: Sustainable Urban India
-
Integrated Planning: Plan land use, transport, and environment together.
-
Strengthen Local Governments: Empower Urban Development Authorities under the 74th Amendment.
-
Adopt Green Solutions: Encourage waste recycling, rainwater harvesting, and public transport.
-
Public Participation: Engage citizens in decision-making.
Maharashtra State Board: Class 12
Key Takeaways
- Urban development means improving and managing cities so people have better housing, transport, environment, and services for a good quality of life.
- Cities in India generate around 60% of the national income and are the backbone of the economy.
- The National Commission on Urbanisation (1986), led by Charles Correa, suggested creating balanced and sustainable city growth through developing smaller towns, counter-magnets, and equal service access.
- Major challenges include shortage of funds, rising slums, poor infrastructure, pollution, weak local governance, and inequality.
- Earlier programmes like UBSP, EIUS, IDSMT, HUDCO, and IUPEP worked on housing, sanitation, and regional balance.
- Recent missions such as Smart Cities, AMRUT, PMAY (Urban), HRIDAY, JNNURM, and Swachh Bharat focus on infrastructure, housing, heritage, and clean cities.
- India’s urban population may reach 40% by 2036, contributing up to 75% of GDP by 2030.
- The way forward is to strengthen local urban bodies, integrate planning with environment and economy, expand citizen participation, and ensure sustainable, inclusive urban growth.
