NOTES ON URBAN SETTLEMENT AND URBANIZATION

URBAN SETTLEMENT

Definition: Urban settlement means the settlement where people are mainly engaged in secondary and tertiary activities like industry, trade, transportation and services etc. and where there are more modern facilities and high population density.

URBANIZATION

The word ‘urbanization’ is derived from a Latin word ‘urbs’ a term used for cities by the Romans. In a simple sense, urbanization is defined as a movement of people from rural to urban areas, resulting an increase in population residing in urban areas. OR It is the process where small village or town changed into major urban centres is known as urbanization.

URBANIZATION IN BHUTAN

Urbanization in Bhutan began only in 1961 with the introduction of the first five year plan under the guidance of our late Majesty the King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck.

Under this developmental strategy, Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan started to grow gradually.

Construction of roads and establishment of infrastructure, and educational and health facilities took place.

The public sector gained momentum, resulting in more and more rural to urban migration.

Now more than 40 percent of the Bhutan’s population lives in urban areas and more than half of the urban population are residing in Thimphu and Phuentsholing.

IMPORTANCE OF URBANIZATION

1. Urbanization is one of the many indicators of socio-economic development.

2. Urbanization brings material, social and economic progress including higher living standard.

3. It leads to the emergence of administrative class as well as the development of arts, trades  and special skills.

4. It leads to the economic efficiency and technological development which provides more  economic opportunities in the secondary and tertiary sectors.

CAUSES OF URBANIZATION

Urbanization is generally caused by TWO major factors, that is:
1. Push Factor – Those factors which drives people away from the place of origin. Example: Lack of facilities, drudgery of farm works etc.

       2. Pull Factors – Those factors which attract people often to urban centres / destination. Example: Employment opportunities, better facilities etc.

OR

Ø  The urban system of a country grows mainly due to:

1.    Natural population increase.

2.    Migration from rural areas.

3.    Immigration from other countries.

4.  Reclassification of urban settlement / boundaries to encompass formally the rural areas.

MAJOR URBAN CENTRES OF BHUTAN

Most of the major urban centres are located in the Dzongkhag headquarters.

Following are the major urban centres:

1.    Thimphu

2.    Paro

3.    Haa

4.    Phuentsholing (Chukha)

5.    Wangdue Phodrang

6.    Punakha

7.    Tsirang

8.    Sarpang

9.    Samtse

10. Dagana

11. Samdrup Jongkhar

12. Pema Gatshel

13. Trashigang

14. Trashi Yangtse

15. Mongar

16. Lhuentse

17. Bumthang

18. Trongsa

19. Zhemgang

20. Gasa

Ø  Population wise, the largest urban centre is Thimphu, followed by Phuentsholing, Samtse, Gelephu and Samdrup Jongkhar.