Human settlements are one of the oldest forms of social living. Chapter 2 of the NCERT Class 12 Geography textbook India: People and Economy covers this important topic in detail. The chapter is titled Human Settlements and explains how people have built different types of settlements in different regions, depending on factors like geography, climate, availability of water, economic activity and more. It covers both rural and urban settlements, their types, features, and challenges.
I’m writing this article because understanding human settlements is essential not just for board exams but also for grasping how India’s towns and villages have developed over time. Whether it’s planning a smart city, improving sanitation in a rural area, or designing transport networks, everything starts with knowing how and where people live. This chapter helps students connect textbook knowledge with real-world planning and development. Plus, it’s part of many competitive exams. I’ve also included the official NCERT PDF download link below so that you can easily access the chapter and revise it directly from the source.
What Is a Human Settlement?
A human settlement is a place where people live and carry out their daily activities like farming, trading, working, and interacting with others. Settlements may be temporary (like seasonal camps) or permanent (like villages and cities).
There are two main types of settlements:
1. Rural Settlements
These are mostly small in size and based on primary activities like farming, fishing, and forestry.
Types of rural settlements:
- Clustered: Houses are grouped together (common in northern plains).
- Semi-clustered: Smaller groups formed due to social or physical factors.
- Dispersed: Scattered houses, often in hilly or tribal areas.
- Hamleted: A larger village divided into small hamlets.
Challenges faced:
- Poor sanitation
- Lack of clean drinking water
- Poor connectivity and transport
- Inadequate healthcare and education
2. Urban Settlements
These are larger, more densely populated, and based on secondary and tertiary activities like manufacturing, services, and administration.
Classification of urban areas:
- Town: Smaller than a city, with basic facilities
- City: Bigger, with more infrastructure
- Metropolitan: Over 1 million population
- Mega City: Over 5 million population (e.g., Mumbai, Delhi)
Problems in urban areas:
- Traffic congestion
- Slums and housing shortages
- Water scarcity
- Pollution
- Waste management issues
Growth of Settlements in India
The pattern of settlement in India has been shaped by:
- Geography: Rivers, plains, hills
- Climate: People prefer moderate climates
- History: Old civilisations near rivers like the Indus and Ganga
- Economy: Cities grow faster near industries and ports
India’s urban population has grown rapidly in the last few decades. As per the 2011 Census, about 31% of India’s population lived in urban areas, and this number is increasing every year.
Smart Cities Mission
Launched in 2015, the Smart Cities Mission aims to improve urban infrastructure and provide a better quality of life. This is one modern example of planning human settlements.
Download PDF: NCERT Class 12 Geography Chapter 2 – Human Settlements
To help with your studies, here is the direct link to the official NCERT PDF:
NCERT Class 12 Geography (India People and Economy) Chapter 2: Human Settlements
