The Banking Tutor’s Lessons
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
+91 9440641014
