Difference between Metropolitan Cities and Urban Agglomeration
By BYJU'S Exam Prep
Updated on: November 14th, 2023
The difference between metropolitan cities and urban agglomeration is that cities in India with a population of 1 and 5 million are classified as metropolitan cities by census. However, urban agglomerations are stretches of land that may include two or more cities. Urban agglomerations in India make up a large portion of the country’s metropolitan cities.
Difference between Metropolitan Cities and Urban Agglomeration PDF
Metropolitan cities are Indian cities with a population of more than four million, according to the Census Commission of India (CCI). In contrast, an urban agglomeration is an ongoing urban expansion made up of a town and its nearby outgrowths or two or more geographically contiguous cities together, with or without these outgrowths. Let us discuss the difference between metropolitan cities and urban agglomeration in detail.
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Difference Between Metropolitan Cities and Urban Agglomeration
A prominent difference between metropolitan cities and urban agglomeration is that a metropolitan area generally constitutes numerous municipalities and jurisdictions. As economic, social, and political establishments have transformed, metropolitan regions have become vital economic and political areas.
On the other hand, an urban agglomeration refers to a constant urban spread comprising a town and its adjoining outgrowths (OGs) or two or more physically adjacent areas with or without outgrowths such areas.
Metropolitan Cities vs Urban Agglomeration
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Difference Between Metropolitan Cities and Urban Agglomeration |
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Metropolitan Cities |
Urban Agglomeration |
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Metropolitan cities can be defined as a group of Indian cities that hold over four million people. |
Urban Agglomeration refers to an area that constitutes at least a statutory locality. |
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According to the Census of India, the significant metropolitan city population are as follows – Mumbai (populace of more than 18 Million) Delhi (populace of more than 16 Million) Kolkata (populace of more than 14 Million) Chennai (populace of more than 8.6 million) Bangalore (populace of around 8.5 million) Hyderabad (populace of around 7.6 million) Ahmedabad (populace of around 6.3 million) Pune (populace around 5.05 million) Surat (populace around 4.5 million) |
Urban Agglomerations (UA) are extensively split into three principal groups – Class I Urban Agglomeration (UA): This unit incorporates at least 1,00,000 people. Million Plus Urban Agglomeration (UA): This area constitutes one million or more population. Nevertheless, approximately 42.6 per cent of the Urban residents live in these Million Plus Urban Agglomerations. Mega-Cities: Among the Cities or Million Plus Urban Agglomerations in India, there are three exceptionally large Urban Agglomerations with more than ten million population, known as Mega-Cities. |
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Metropolitan cities hold a population of more than four million. |
It comprises a population of all the constituents put together, approximately 20,000 or more, as per the Indian census. |
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A metropolitan area is a densely inhabited urban centre region with its less-populated sharing industry, surrounding parts, infrastructure, and accommodation. |
An urban agglomeration refers to a constant urban spread comprising a town and its adjoining outgrowths (OGs). |
Metropolitan Cities and Urban Agglomeration
Metropolitan Cities are Indian cities with a population of more than four million, according to the Indian Census Commission. According to the 2011 Census of India, an urban agglomeration is defined as a continuous urban spread made up of a town and any neighbouring outgrowths or by combining two or more physically adjacent towns with or without their outgrowths.
What are Metropolitan Cities?
The term Metropolitan originated from the Greek phrase metropolitan, denoting citizens of a mother state. A metropolitan city definition in India refers to a densely inhabited urban centre region with its less-populated sharing industry, surrounding parts, infrastructure, and accommodation.
- Metropolitan is a translation of the Greek word Metropolitanus, which means a citizen of a mother state.
- A metropolitan area is a geographic area that contains both a densely populated urban core and the less populated areas that surround it, sharing infrastructure, businesses, and housing.
- The metropolitan area is smaller than the urban agglomeration (within the same area).
What is Urban Agglomeration?
An Urban Agglomeration must comprise a statutory area (all towns with a corporation, municipality, cantonment board, reported town area board, etc.). According to the previous Census, the cumulative population of urban agglomeration in India should not be less than 20,000 people.
With these two fundamental standards having been fulfilled, below are the different possible cases in which Urban Agglomerations would be formed:
- A town or city with one or more adjacent outgrowths
- Two or more bordering areas with their outgrowths
- A city and more adjoining towns form a continuous spread with their outgrowths.
- An urban agglomeration is only a stage of a city’s expansion across time and space.
In changing local circumstances, similar other varieties have been deemed urban agglomerations fulfilling the basic requirement of contiguity.
Conclusion:
Key Difference Between Metropolitan Cities and Urban Agglomeration
The key difference between metropolitan cities and urban agglomeration is that Metropolitan cities are categorized based only on their population (1 lakh to 50 lakhs). In contrast, urban agglomerations are not categorized primarily on their population (although they must be urban settlements) but rather on how their population has grown and how other towns have influenced it.
