TYPES OF CITIES

TYPES OF CITIES

The cities are broadly differentiated by geographical conditions and population composition, and each city is unique from the others. We can classify cities based on the fundamental features they share. Thus, the city of one class also has numerous diverse features as well. On the basis of a broad common feature, on the basis we can classify them into the following types.

1. Production centres: 

Generally, a more important city in the world is an industrial town. As a consequence of the Industrial Revolution, the urban population worldwide has increased considerably. In India, the majority of cities with a population of one lakh or more are industrialised. According to the population, it can be classified into two categories.

a. Primary production centre: 

In these places, material or industrial users produce, for example, in mining centres where oil, coal, iron, etc., are extracted. Though the population of such places is usually not very large, this centre is connected to other places; such towns in India include Nellore, Masulipatnam, Ranchi, Guwahati, Mysore, Kolar, etc.

b. Secondary Production centre: 

In this centre, the raw material obtained from the primary production centre is used for manufacturing a variety of goods. As such places population in these places is large and keeps growing. For example, Firozabad is famous for glass bangles, Kanpur for leather goods, and Moradabad for brushware. In some cities, one type of primary product is produced; in others, numerous products are produced.

2. Centre of trade and commerce: 

Generally, cities are production centres of trade and commerce, but in some, trade and commerce are dominant, and production is secondary. For example, though Mumbai is a major production centre, it is a far bigger centre of trade and commerce. Generally, cities situated on the seacoast and those that are ports are centres of trade and commerce.

For example, in Cochin, Tuticorin, and other inland towns, there are many centres of trade and commerce.

3. Capitals and administrative centres: 

All cities that have happened to be state capitals have shot into prominence; their importance is not due to their industry or business but to their being the capital, indeed. Once the places are established, capital, business, and industry automatically grow there. Before industrialisation and globalisation, capital cities were the most important cities in the world. For example, Lucknow, Bhubaneshwar, Jaipur, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, etc.

4. Health and recreation centres: 

Many towns have a very healthy climate owing to their particular geographic location and climatic conditions. Therefore, people from the plains gather in great numbers in such a town. To attract more tourists to such places, municipal and state authorities do everything possible to beautify them and provide amenities. The livelihoods of the people in these places depend greatly on tourism.

5. Religious and Cultural centres: 

In India, where religious sentiments dominate, many towns have become famous and developed into big cities because of their religious values and significance. For example, Amritsar, Ajmer, Rameswaram, etc. Apart from their religious significance, there are many cities that are important for their historical sites and monuments, such as Agra, Chittorgarh, Nalanda, and Taxila.

6. Diversified cities: 

Besides the cities that fit into one or the other of the above-mentioned categories, there are some towns that fit into none of them. They may be holy, but their eminence is not the fundamental reason for it. They may also be capital cities, but their fundamental reasons for growth may lie elsewhere. Thus, it would not be correct to place them in a specific category. Such towns and cities are accordingly referred to as diversified towns. For example, Varanasi.

Conclusion

Cities differ from one another because they develop according to their geographical conditions, population, economic activities, and social and cultural importance. The different types of cities, production centres, centres of trade and commerce, capitals and administrative centres, health and recreation centres, religious and cultural centres, and diversified cities, show that urban areas can grow for different reasons and serve different purposes. At the same time, many cities serve multiple functions and cannot always be placed in a single category. Therefore, understanding the types of cities helps us appreciate the diverse roles they play in society’s economic, administrative, social, cultural, and everyday life.