BTL 867 - Urban Agglomerations (UA)

 

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BTL 867                                                                                06-02-2026

Urban Agglomerations (UA)

In India, an Urban Agglomeration (UA) is defined as a continuous urban spread consisting of a main town and its adjoining "outgrowths" (like university campuses or railway colonies), or two or more physically contiguous towns.

As of 2026, the primary classification and data remain based on the 2011 Census, which identified 475 urban agglomerations in India.

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.

These regions are the primary drivers of India's economic growth and represent the largest concentrations of the urban population.

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. 

Key Classifications

Urban Agglomerations are further grouped based on their population size:

Metropolitan Urban Agglomerations: (Mega Cities): UAs with a population of 10 million or more (Mumbai, Delhi, and Kolkata).

Class I Urban Agglomerations (Million Plus UAs): Areas with 1 million or more people; there were 53 such UAs as of the last census.

Medium and Small Urban Agglomerations (Class I UAs) : Areas with at least 100,000 residents.

Major Components

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.

Outgrowth (OG): A viable urban unit that has developed outside the formal limits of a town but is physically contiguous with it, such as a military camp or industrial estate. 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.

Census Town: A settlement that satisfies urban criteria (minimum 5,000 population, 75% male workforce in non-agriculture, and 400 persons/sq. km) but lacks a formal municipal government.

Contiguous Towns: Smaller towns that have grown physically close to the main city and merged into a single urban spread due to expansion.

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.

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.

Importance of Urban Agglomerations

Economic Growth Engines:

Serve as centres of commerce, industry, and innovation.

Generate a significant share of national income and employment.

Urbanisation Indicators:

Reflect the intensity and spatial spread of urbanisation.

Integrated Infrastructure Planning:

Enable coordinated urban planning for housing, transportation, and public utilities.

Labour Market Expansion:

Attract large-scale migration and promote diversified employment opportunities.

Cultural and Educational Centres:

Host major educational institutions, cultural hubs, and service industries.

Challenges Associated with Urban Agglomerations

Urban Sprawl:

Unplanned expansion leads to environmental degradation and encroachment of agricultural land.

Inadequate Infrastructure:

Pressure on roads, housing, water supply, sanitation, and waste management systems.

Traffic Congestion and Pollution:

Increased vehicle use results in air pollution and mobility issues.

Informal Settlements:

Proliferation of slums and inadequate housing due to rapid migration.

Administrative Fragmentation:

Overlapping jurisdictions among multiple local bodies hinder coordinated governance.

Resource Inequality:

Economic disparities between the core city and peripheral areas.

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.

Sekhar Pariti

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