Morphology of Towns Estelar -...

CHAPTER 4

Morphology of Towns 4.1 Evolutional Process of Urban Morphology

Some processes and tendencies keep working for the

development of functional and physical forms of towns that are known

as forces and principles:

1. Centripetal forces are those forces that attract

everything towards the central parts of the town.

2. Centrifugal forces are those are responsible for keeping

away, spreading or keeping separate from them.

3. Forces of spatial differentiation work for segregation in

the form of specific regional units or groups of people,

functions and constructions.

The centripetal forces start functioning as soon as the main

nucleus of the town comes into existence. Colby has described five

centripetal forces (Colby, 1933):

1. Site attraction

2. Functional convenience

3. Functional magnetism

4. Functional prestige, and

5. Human equation.

Similarly, he has divided the centrifugal forces into six

categories:

1. Spatial force

2. Site force

3. Situational force

4. Force for social evaluation

5. Status and Organizational occupancy and

6. Human equation

Estelar

Morphology of Towns CHAPTER 4

76

The meaning of human equation includes all the factors of

human choice responsible for the migration in the direction towards

the nucleus or in the opposite direction.

Dickinson (1964) has described the following seven types of

processes for the condition and distribution of different functions

within a town behind which the elements of economics forces, social

aptitudes and government legislation function:

4.1.1 CENTRALIZATION This is the result of the centripetal forces that concentrates the

people and their functions in the nucleus of town in order to remove

the friction of space. Every work wants to be located at the place

where the distance is the least in terms of price and time. The process

of centralization has been the basic cause of the origin of towns in the

past for their development in the present time.

4.1.2 CONCENTRATION The tendency of utilization of residential and non-residential

land or the collection of cautions in specific fields of the town is called

concentration. The development of central areas of commerce and

other sub-areas and commercial, residential, administrative and other

functional fields is the result of this tendency.

4.1.3 DECONCENTRATION The transfer of the existing concentrates within the town areas

towards the open outer parts is called deconcentration, which is

caused by the centrifugal forces. The spread of brick-mortar complex

or its existence in the direction of the outer regions is a pointer

towards in the direction of modern town development in the past half

century.

Estelar


77

4.1.4 DECENTRALIZATION It means transfer or expansion of certain functions or functional

units of the town into a separate town or nucleus that is functioning

as an independent local nucleus or town.

4.1.5 RECENTRALIZATION Recentralization is the process of reuniting the decentralized

functions with other functions, which is done in four ways: (a) By

uniting the big units that are complementary to one another; (b) By

transferring the small towns (of the size of about 10,000-20,000); (c)

By spreading in the form of small family concerns or workshops in the

important villages or very small town centres - these characteristics

are visible in the form of natural tendencies or planned efforts.

4.1.6 RESIDENTIAL SEGREGATION Like the concentration of economic utilizations in the form of

functional regions, residential segregation means the tendency of

process among the town people to settle in separate residential

regions. Two factors are to be specially borne in mind while settling in

or migrating to any part of a town - firstly, which regions have better

and more availability of living or other desirable sources; and,

secondly, where the most people of similar group, interest, culture,

community or financial conditions can be found.

4.1.7 DOMINANCE, INVASION AND SUCCESSION These activities, as described by the experts in town situation,

are related to the utilization of buildings and the changes in their

consumers. The tendency to be thus settled in a region of a given use

is called dominance, with which the competition with other uses is not

more effective. But with the passage of time, other utilizations or

consumers change the dominance of that utilization with its reaching

to the stage of downfall or by the invasions. The geographers call

Estelar


78

such a change in any region of the town sequent occupancy. Such a

change is visible in the towns with the characteristics of fast

urbanization and migration. The downfall and changes in the socio-

economic conditions of buildings and regions are seen in the form of

general rule in the regions adjoining the town nucleus and internal

and middle pockets of towns by the side of big transportation routes

coming from there. The end of these changes is affected with the

reconstruction or renewal of the buildings and regions (Singh, O.P.

1987).

4.2 Theories and Models of Urban Morphology Although each city is unique in respect of the detailed pattern of

its internal land use, there is nevertheless a considerable degree of

repetition in the broad geographical arrangement of the various

categories of urban land use from one city to another. As a result a

number of theories have been formulated which attempt to describe

and explain the patterns involved.

4.2.1 THE CONCENTRIC ZONE THEORY This theory put forth by Burgess in 1925 related population

mobility and societal organization to the physical expansion of the city

(Burgess, 1929). Burgess was interested in determining a pattern for

the social structure of the city, and studying how the city grew

(Scargill, 1979). Thus, it is a descriptive framework to analyze spatial

organization of land use in a city and its change over time. It was

partly based on economic factors. The model made many assumptions

such as uniform land surface, free market, accessibility to a single-

centered city, heterogeneous population and a commercial-industrial

base (Herbert and Thomas, 1990). Burgess’ research on the

distributional pattern of various groups of society led him to conclude

that the city was made up of concentric zones with the central

business district (CBD) at the center (Fig 4.1).

Estelar


79

The CBD core had all major commercial, political and social

activities. This was surrounded by a transition zone, which had

factories and slums. It also had older residential districts, which were

being taken over by the expanding CBD. The next zone had lower

income housing, and successive zones had higher income residences

(Burgess, 1929). Families moved out into the next zone when their

zone was invaded. The basic premise in this model was that of

succession and invasion whereby population groups gradually moved

out as their economic and social status improved. Mobility and

migrant influx were though of as the main cause of the social pattern

(Hartshorn, 1992).

CBD

Transition

Low Income

Middle IncomeHigh Income

Fig. 4.1 Different Zones as described in the Concentric Zone Theory of Burgess (1929)

This model was based on Burgess’ experience in the American

mid-west cities, and especially in Chicago. In the early 1920s, most

American cities in the mid-west absorbed many immigrant groups

from Europe. These immigrants first found cheap housing in the

inner city. With affluence, they moved to better housing districts

(Burgess, 1929). The movement was towards the periphery.

Diversification in employment opportunities gave rise to the growth of

mixed land use development. This also forced an outward expansion.

The public transport system had also improved significantly and

Estelar


80

allowed the middle-class to travel from outer zones to the CBD for

work. These reasons complemented a concentric zone development

model (Scargill, 1979).

The model is very simple and can be used to predict how urban

land markets work. It was intended to serve as a framework for

studying urban growth and change (King and Golledge, 1978).

However, Burgess has been criticized for not having considered

topographical criteria. The original model did not take into account

specialized clusters of industry. It also did not explain the impact of

transport networks on these zones (Scargill, 1979). The real world is

more complicated than what was represented by Burgess’ very general

model. Hence, empirical studies did not confirm his model one

hundred percent (Herbert and Thomas, 1990).

4.2.2 THE SECTOR THEORY Discrepancies between the concentric model and the reality of

the urban land use patterns have encouraged the formulation of other

theories of urban structure. Notable among these is the Sector Theory

proposed by H. Hoyt and M.R. Davie in 1939 (Fig. 4.2). According to

the sector theory, pattern of urban land use are conditioned by the

arrangement of routes radiating out from the city centre which creates

sectoral pattern of land rent values which in turn influences the

urban land use pattern. According to H. Hoyt, a high rent residential

district in one sector of the city will migrate outward by the addition of

new belts of housing along its outer are. Similarly low rent housing

might expand outward in a different direction. In other words, once

contrast in land use has developed near the city centre, these

differences will be perpetuated as the city expands. This idea of a

wedge like expansion is improvement over the earlier concentric model

in that it takes into account both the distance and the direction of

expansion, and acknowledges the importance of transport routes on

the growth of the city.

Estelar


81

Fig. 4.2 Hoyt’s Sector Model of Urban Landuse (Source: Michael Pacione, 2001)

4.2.3 MULTIPLE NUCLEI THEORY The concentric and sector theories have essential simplicity, but

actual patterns of urban land use are generally far more complex and

varied than either model would suggest. Consequently, in 1945 a less

rigid model capable of application to a variety of urban patterns was

proposed by C.D Harris and E.L. Ullman. The multiple nuclei theory

suggested that land use pattern in most large cities develop around a

Estelar


82

number of discrete centres or nuclei rather than a single centre as

described in the concentric and sector models. The clustering of

related land uses around these nuclei in the city creates a cellular

structure, the pattern of which will be largely determined by the

unique factor of site and history of any particular city. The multiple

nuclei theory does not produce simple model of urban structure

appropriate to each and every city, but rather suggests a number of

general principles which are relevant to the land use pattern of most

cities (Fig. 4.3).

Fig. 4.3 Multiple Nuclei Theory of Harris and Ullman

(Source: Michael Pacione, 2001)

Estelar


83

Ullman developed the “Multiple Nuclei Theory”, which stated

that urban land use is developed around several nuclei and larger the

city, more specialized the nuclei (Harris and Ullman 1945). This

decentralization was very much evident in the urban landscape. By

1960s, evidences of an uninterrupted polycentric metropolitan region

were visible in the North East United States (Lang and Knox 2007),

identified by Jean Gottmann (1961) as megalopolis.

4.2.4 BID RENT (CURVES) THEORY The mainspring of the concentric zone model of urban land use

is the expansion of the inner zone outwards. This movement is

triggered by excessive demand for central city land. The neo-classical

economics “Trade off” model employs the concept of bid rent curves to

explain a why demand for land, and therefore land use patterns vary

across the urban area (Michael, 2001). The basis of the model is the

relationship between accessibility and land rent. The more accessible

a location, the greater is the demand for it, which is reflected in the

distribution of land values. In the model the city centre is an assumed

to be the most accessible, and therefore, most valuable location (Fig.

4.4). Since some land use place greater importance on accessibility,

people are prepared to pay higher rents for central locations.

Estelar


84

Fig. 4.4 Source: Singh, O.P. (2008)

4.2.5 VANCE’S URBAN REALMS MODEL By extending the principles of the multiple nuclei model, Vance

(1964) proposed the Urban Realms Model. The key element is the

emergence of large self-sufficient urban areas, each focus on a

downtown and central city. The extent, character and internal

structure of each ‘urban realms’ is shaped by five criteria:

• Terrain - especially topographical and water barriers;

Estelar


85

• Overall size of the metropolis;

• Amount of economic activity within each realm;

• The internal accessibility of each realm in relation to its

dominant economic core; and

• inter-accessibility among suburban realms.

Particularly important here are circumferential links and direct

airport connections that no longer require them to interact with the

central realm in order to reach other outlying realms and distant

metropolises (Fig. 4.5).

Fig. 4.5 Urban Realm Model of Vance (Source: J. Vance, 1964)

Though conceived in the basis of work on the San Francisco bay

area, the model has subsequently been applied to describe the general

land use structure of other U.S. cities

Estelar


86

4.2.6 MANN’S MODEL An interesting attempt to combine elements of both the

concentric and sector theories has been presented by P. Mann (1965).

His model illustrates the structure of hypothetical British city. The

model also incorporated a climatic consideration relevant to the UK by

assuming a prevailing wind from the west.

Fig. 4.6 Mann’s Model of a typical medium-sized British

City (Source: P. Mann, 1965).

Estelar


87

a) The best residential area (A) is located on the western fringe

of the city, upwind and on the opposite side of town from the

industrial sector (D).

b) The areas of the working class and the main council estates

are located close to the industrial zone.

c) The lower middle class housing (B) borders on each side of

the best residential area.

The model also identifies a CBD, a transition zone, a zone of small

terraced houses in sector C and D, larger housing in sector B, large

old houses in sector A, post-1918 residential areas with post-1945

housing added on the periphery, and dormitory settlement at

commuting distance from the city (Figure 4.6).

4.2.7 KEARSLEY’S MODIFIED BURGESS MODEL Kearsley’s model was an attempt to extend Mann’s model of

urban structure by taking into account contemporary dimensions of

urbanization such as the level of governmental involvement in urban

development in Britain, slum clearance, suburbanization,

decentralization of economic activities, gentrification and ghettosiation

(G. Kearsley 1983). Manipulation of the model’s various elements-such

as the extension of inner-city blight, minimization of local and central

government housing and expansion of recent low density suburbs

offers a North American variant of the basic model (Fig. 4.7).

J. Vance (1964) geography & urban evolution in San Francisco

Bay area Barkley institute of government studies university of

California.

Estelar


88

Fig. 4.7 Kearsley’s modified Burgess Model of urban land use (Source: J. Kearsley, 1983)

Estelar


89

4.3 Some Examples of Urban Social Patterns in Indian Cities

In cities of India, spatial segregation based on ethnicity, caste,

religion and language rather than demographics and economics can

be seen. The social ties are horizontal and vertical. The horizontal

relationships are between people of the same cultural background

while vertical relationships are between caste and class. Many studies

have been done to study Indian urban areas, and especially to

construct a structural model. It has been found that Indian cities defy

social modeling. But, in general, the Indian urban social scene

essentially reflects two facets of non-western structure (Hall, 1980):

• Residences have not yet come to serve the symbolic function

they do in the Western world.

• Symbolic functionalism is performed by religion and caste and

buttressed by regional affiliations, languages and customs. The

nature of traditional social status and the interdependence and

spatial interpretation of diverse, yet complementary, status

groups help to produce a very obscure patterning of social

groups at the micro-level of analysis.

Research findings point out that while caste is important in

rural societies for its very functioning; in urban environments the

meaning of caste becomes more important in terms of identity rather

than function. For example, in rural areas, farming is done only by

the Sudra caste, and religious duties performed by the Brahmins. In

the cities where new professions were created, new definitions had to

be made. Soon, industrial and office workers belonged to all castes.

The greater complexity of urban life and the difficulty of maintaining

caste identity through residential segregation alone, has created social

organizations for each caste (Kopardekara, 1986). A second

indigenous factor suffusing urban society is that of regional affiliation.

"Particularly in cosmopolitan cities cultural or linguistic diversity and

Estelar


90

regional associations develop to extol their culture and language and

to participate in their own regional festivals if not usually celebrated in

the region within which they live now" (Hall, 1980:35). Certain areas

are known for their residents speaking a particular language only.

Although the neighborhoods that result are not corporate groups in

the sense in which they are defined, such neighborhoods are the

source for the development of the corporate groups.

Weinstein (1974) made an attempt to produce a conceptual

model for the social segregation of an Indian city. He postulated three

dimensions as being important contributors to residential segregation.

These three dimensions were

• Socioeconomic dimension symbolized by the bazaar

• Political dimension represented by an administrative symbol

• Prestige dimension derived from the religious function of a

temple.

These three dimensions would form concentric zones. Their

influence and interplay causes residential segregation. The centroid of

the system represents the optimum location for accessibility to all

three functions. However, real case studies did not prove this theory.

Instead, it was found that multiple nuclei were present, and that the

temple acted as the most meaningful focus for the spatial distribution

of social characteristics.

Brush (1977) studied 24 cities in India and discerned four types

of gradients of population directly related to their evolutionary pattern.

Pune and Varanasi, cities that were well developed even before the

colonial period, had retained their residential core (Mehta, 1968).

Bombay, Calcutta and Madras, colonial cities, had western style

CBDs. Hyderabad had two nuclei – the old city and the colonial city.

Industrial towns like Jamshedpur were planned around their

industrial core.

These examples show that the urban social pattern of Indian

cities is very complex due to the influence of a variety of factors. The

presence of many religions, languages, castes and classes produces a

Estelar


91

more heterogeneous pattern. The social patterns were also strongly

influenced by the age of the city. The existence of multiple physical

urban patterns caused by the presence of indigenous settlements,

British cities and industrial towns within the boundary of the urban

area.

4.4 Urban Landuse and Functional Morphology 4.4.1 URBAN LAND-USE

The study of urban land is made in three ways: (1) How much

part of the land is used and for what purposes? (2) In what types of

work are the buildings located on that land are used? (3) How many

people are involved in various types of work inside the town? In fact,

these three things are co-related, their original relation with land-use.

The number of the buildings is highest that are involved in the largest

type of work that develops on the land of the town and in this work

(profession); the people involved have an important number. There is

only a difference of attitude in these three aspects. Land-use is very

wide because in it we also include residences and the land. Although

it is not considered as commercial, yet it has great importance for the

section of the population that comes under the category of

dependents. Land-use presents the classification of the land of the

town, according to the category of utilisation. In it, along with the

study of all round expansion of the land of the town, perpendicular

expansion is also studied. Therefore, the study of land-use has a very

important place in urban morphology (Bansal, S.C. 1999).

4.4.1.1 Land Use of Nainital

With the purpose of giving a well managed and planned

direction to the physical development of the city of Nainital, it is

necessary that an extensive study of the existing land use of the town

should be made. On the basis of this conclusion, the allotment of the

available limited land-use should be made in such a way that, along

Estelar


92

with imposing restriction on the extension of unplanned and

uncontrolled physical development, planning in land use should be

made in conformity with the planned measures within the city area.

The coordination of time and distance should be ascertained in such a

manner that the spheres like residence, office, community facilities,

commercial centres, recreation, etc. are planned so that the

environment of this region could be conserved in the best possible

manner.

The physical development of the city of Nainital has taken place

mainly to the north of the lake towards Sher-Ka-Danda, in the

southern back side of Snow-view mountain range and to south-east

on both the side of Nainital-Haldwani road. Presently, there is 1173

hectares of land in Nainital town region (Table 4.1). In this region,

under various town activities the particulars of physical and land-wise

analysis have been made as follows (Map 4.1):

1. Residential Area: In the region of Nainital town, almost 24.19%

area of the total 283.74 hectares of area exists under residential

built-up and under restricted area. The existing area is only

7.74 percent of the total urban area.

2. Commercial Area: There is mixed land-use in Nainital town as

there are commercial activities in the residential areas and the

market areas of Tallital and Mallital. At present about 17.75

hectares of land is under commercial activities, which is 1.51 %

of total town area. The commercial area is spread in a ribbon

pattern on Haldwani-Nainital road and from bus-stand to

Bhowali Marg. Therefore, the market area, hotels related to

tourism, lodges and relevant activities may be included under

the commercial region.

3. Administrative Area: About 39.00 hectares of land comes

under offices and government use which is 3.32% of the total

town area. There are many offices in Nainital, which include

those of Central Govt. State-Govt., Semi-Govt. and autonomous

institutions and other offices. Besides these offices there are

Estelar


93

extensive areas in Nainital that are in the use of Government,

like Nainital Club, Pant Sadan, etc.

Table 4.1 Land use of Nainital

Landuse Area (ha) In percent Administrative 39.00 3.32 Educational 74.75 6.37 Commercial 17.75 1.51 Residential 283.74 24.19 Medical 7.80 0.66 Recreational 10.64 0.91 Religious 5.00 0.43 Bus & Taxi stands/Parking 2.50 0.21 Water bodies 68.90 5.87 Agricultural land 7.70 0.66 Forest area 648.14 55.25 Barren land and others 7.08 0.60 Total 1173.00 100.00

4. Community Facilities: The community facilities or basic

facilities are very essential in the civic life. The use of these

services or facilities is also essential along with economic, social

and cultural development of the town. Under these services we

can include mainly education, medical, recreational, public

services, etc. In Nainital town about 98.19 hectares of land

comes under these services. At present it is about 8.37% of the

total town area. About 74.75 hectares land comes under

education and about 7.80 hectares of land comes under health

services.

6. Transportation: The geographical structure and the places of

tourist interest in Nainital have been significant factors in

determining the system of transportation there. The system of

transportation in Nainital town has been perverted by the

incapacity of routes to bear heavy flow of transportation,

unsystematic accumulation of vehicles on the roads, and

shortage of parking places. Different experiments are being done

to manage transportation to address this problem. The parking

Estelar


94

Map 4.1

Estelar


95

places and taxi and bus stands occupy 2.5 ha of the land use

accounting for 0.21% of the total area on Nainital township.

7. Forest/Green Area: The forest plays an important part in

environmental conservation and for this reason forests have

occupied a special place since times immemorial. In the last

decades as a result of the process of rapid expansion the

existing dense forests has gradually dwindled. The ill-effects of

decreasing forests and increasing urbanization are being

manifested in the form of landslides and other environmental

challenges in the present times. At present about 648.14

hectares land comes under the forest/green area, which is

about 55.25% land of the entire urban area of Nainital town. It

becomes indispensable to propose the utilization of more land

from town planning and environmental point of view keeping in

mind the geological condition and nature of environment.

8. Water Bodies: Presently about 68.90 hectares land comes

under the lakes and gadhera (seasonal storm drains), which is

about 5.87% of land of the entire land-utilization area.

9. Agricultural and Barren Land: About 14.78 hectares land

comes under this category. The 7.08 of barren land is a steep

sloped area which cannot be brought only under

forest/plantation as a land use.

4.4.1.2 Land use of Haldwani-Kathgodam town

Under Haldwani-Kathgodam notified area the municipal area is

a region with dense population and the remaining outer region has

comparatively less population. In the absence of a planned policy, the

development of this town is taking place in the form of a belt, in an ill-

managed and unplanned form on both the sides of the main roads. It

comes to light from the departmental physical survey that the town of

Haldwani-Kathgodam has also developed in the form of mixed land

use.

Estelar


96

Haldwani-Kathgodam notified area, which also includes

Haldwani-Kathgodam municipal area, possesses a total of 1,062.0

hectares of land which has been divided mainly in the form of

constructed and open land. Under constructed area come residential,

commercial, official, industrial, transportation and community

facilities and services. The open areas include mainly agriculture,

horticultural, barren land, drains, canals etc. which can be used for

possible development of the town.

Under the existing constructed area, there is 768.32 hectares of

land which accounts for 12% of the total area. According to a survey

Haldwani-Kathgodam notified has also developed in the form of mixed

land use as seen from Table 4.2.

Table 4.2 Land use of Haldwani-Kathgodam

Land use Area (ha) In Percent

Residential 2071.00 32.49

Commercial 51.20 0.80

Administrative 30.93 0.49

Industrial 18.75 0.29

Educational 86.20 1.35

Medical 7.94 0.12

Community Services 46.32 0.73

Recreational 38.20 0.60

Religious 0.75 0.01

Transportation 86.10 1.35

Forest, Military and other area 3636.61 57.05

Water bodies 300.00 4.71

Total 6374.00 100.00

Source: Master Plan Haldwani (2007)

1. Residential Area: In Haldwani-Kathgodam notified area, a total

of 2071.00 hectares of land comes under residential use which

Estelar


97

is 32.49% of the total constructed area. The existing municipal

area is an area with dense population. Even near Bareilly road,

Kaladhungi road, Rampur road, the development and extension

of residential areas is going on at a rapid pace giving a dense

and compact region.

2. Commercial Areas: From early times the development of the

town of Haldwani has been in the form of a business centre.

Since early years, this town has been supplying the needs of

daily use for the whole Kumaun region. Presently, on the

internal routes of the town lies the market areas and on both the

back side of the main roads lie areas of commercial use.

Commercial use includes wholesale trade, retail trade, petrol

pumps, hotels, banks, cinema halls, etc. In the existing notified

area under commercial land use there is a total of 51.20

hectares of land which is 0.8% of the total built-up area. The

central part of the town of Haldwani is the main centre of

commercial activities. Besides, there are main commercial sites

on the back sides of Nainital road, Bareilly road, Kaladhungi

road and Rampur road. Construction on the spaces for loading

and unloading of goods at these commercial centres,

unauthorized encroachment by commercial units at parking

places and on roads hampers proper operating of the transport

system. The complicated transgression of residential and

commercial use also creates the problem for the environment.

3. Administrative Area: The town of Haldwani is an important

tehsil headquarter of the district of Nainital. Here along with

various offices at tehsil level, there are many important offices of

Central and State Government. At present, according to a

departmental survey, in the notified area there is 30.93 hectares

of land for Administrative use, which is 0.49% of the total built-

up area.

4. Industrial Area: From industrial point of view, the towns of

Haldwani-Kathgodam have important place in ‘Kumaun region’.

Estelar


98

Besides household industries, small and big industries have also

been established here. Under small and big industries, for

example, are the H.M.T. factory, at Ranibagh and Ganesh

Catechu (Kattha) factory at Haldwani–Kathgodam besides others

factories on Bareilly road and Rampur Road.

In the existing notified area, there is a total of 18.75

hectares of land under industrial units which is 0.29% of the

total area.

5. Public Facilities and Utilities (including Educational and

Recreational Area and religious places: On the basis of the

conclusions drawn from my own survey, in the existing notified

area a total of 179.41 hectares of land has been used for public

facilities and utilities which is 2.82% of the total built-up area.

Under this important land use, besides the cultural uses of

Ramlila Park, Exhibition Ground, and old temple, gurudwara,

church and mosque, other public services and facilities like

education are there. The main educational area of the town is

constituted of M.B. P.G. College, Haldwani (located on the main

Nainital road) and a few other small patches of Girls Degree

College and scattered small areas of Intermediate College and

High School.

6. Transport Area: The town of Haldwani-Kathgodam is linked to

various towns and cities of the state and the country mainly

through rail and road. Presently, in the town area, under means

of transportation there is 86.10 hectares of land which is 1.35%

of the total area. Under this railway stations, bus-stands and

transportation through roads has been included.

7. Forest, Military and Other areas: Under Haldwani-Kathgodam

notified area, the undeveloped use of 3,636.61 hectares of land

which is 57.05% of the town area is noticed in use of forests,

military and other areas.

Estelar


99

Map 4.2

Estelar


100

4.4.2 FUNCTIONAL MORPHOLOGY 4.4.2.1 Morphology of Nainital

Nainital city habitat is localized around Nainital Lake, hence

different functions are seen at one place. The main reason for such

type of morphology is the scarcity of space. The administrative areas

are localized in the west and south of the city. In western side the

High court, A.T.I., and toward southern part Governors House,

District Office, Session court and other offices are located. Nainital

city is also the main education centre. Toward the south side, St.

Mary’s school, St. Joseph’s School, Amtul’s school, Sherwood college

etc. educational centres are situated while Degree College is towards

south eastern side. At the eastern side Kumaon University,

Polytechnic and some big and small schools are there. Birla Vidya

Mandir, Sanwal School are located towards the northeast of the city.

As for the business areas it is towards the right of the lake and

on the mall road; Tallital bazaar is located towards the south, while at

north eastern side Bara Bazaar and Mallital are there. For the last

several years there has been tremendous increase in the population of

Nainital hence there has been an increase in residential areas

comparatively to the previous years. This can clearly be seen from the

maps at 4.3 and 4.4.

In the Nainital city there has been an increase of residential

areas towards north-eastern and southern side. Further there has

been a tremendous increase of residential areas towards south-east

and north-east during the last 20 years. As Nainital is a tourist city

there are several recreational areas which are situated at different

places. The main attractive centre is the Nainital Lake while at

Mallital, flats are the main recreational areas.

The details regarding the city’s morphology has been elaborated

in chapter 8.

Estelar


101

Map 4.3

Estelar


102

Map 4.4

Estelar


103

4.4.2.2 Morphology of Haldwani

The morphology of the town has evolved under unique

conditions. On an average, the town has an elongated growth. The

morphology is an outcome of the influences of the main transport

route, i.e. the Bareilly-Nainital road, along which has developed the

initial and main settlement of the town. It is also because of the river

Gola acting as a physical barrier, eastwards. The above factors have

thus led the plan of the town to elongate conforming to the direction of

the main road and the river. Since trade and commerce constitute a

very important function, the existence and growth, of such functions

has remained linked with transport routes and the main arterial road

itself has served as the principal market. The morphological growth

along the Bareilly-Nainital road is typical and facilities, such as

roadways and private bus station, taxi stand, main banks, retail trade

and whole sale, restaurants, petrol filling stations cinemas, police

station, tehsil, S.D.M. and other offices either exist on this road or are

very close to it. The weekly trade fair on Tuesday is also there.

During early stages of the growth, the expansion was on this

road i.e. towards north and south, but due to increased distances

from the central business area, this process appears restricted and

town is now expanding more towards the west, although linear

expansion continues in different direction i.e. north and south along

the main road. Further expansion continues westwards on the

Kaladhungi road due to improved transport connections and

southwards along the Rampur road. Sporadic growth of new colonies

at relatively greater distances from the central part has been

associated with development of small shopping complexes. The actual

expansion of business activities has remained confined to the main

road resulting into congestion in these developed parts. With a

considerable rise in population and diversification of economic

functions, centrifugal tendencies now appear to have set in with the

inclusion of a vast rural area under Municipal limits and development

of roads to different directions. Consequently, new colonies of upper

Estelar


104

and upper-middle residential class are slowly evolving in different

directions. In a similar fashion, the dearth of space in Central areas

has also restricted further addition of low class residential areas to

this zone which has ultimately developed in a specific area to the

south and south-east, close to the railway line. In between many small

patches of agricultural land is found which has now turned into

mostly vegetable farms. The morphological change of the town,

therefore, clearly reflects the role of transport and physical barriers in

determining the various aspects of morphology and the pattern of

urban land use.

Estelar


105

Map 4.5

Estelar


106

Map 4.6

Estelar

Morphology of Towns Estelar -...

Documents

Transcript of Morphology of Towns Estelar -...