Urbanization can be described as the transformation from rural to urban living, where people move to cities and shift their focus from agriculture to other activities common in urban areas, such as trade, manufacturing, industry, and management.  

This change in lifestyle also involves a corresponding shift in behavior patterns. Essentially, urbanization is a process that involves the expansion of the entire system of interrelationships that support the population in a given habitat. The term is used to describe the gradual increase in the proportion of people living in urban areas and the movement of people from rural to urban residency. 

Characteristics of Indian Urbanization 

In India, the growth of towns is being primarily driven by the tertiary sector rather than the secondary sector.  

It is an irony that the development of Indian cities has been the result of the growth of the tertiary sector, which includes the communication sector, transport, services, and construction, whereas in developed countries, it is the manufacturing sector that has been the main driving force behind urban growth.  

One of the reasons for the higher level of urbanization in Southern India as compared to Northern and Eastern India is the availability of historical, socio-cultural, and educational resources.  

Furthermore, the introduction of globalization in India has led to significant development in the Southern region, primarily due to high FDI and the establishment of various industries in these states. 

Process of Urbanization 

Urbanization is typically associated with industrialization, as it is a structural process of change that often occurs alongside it. However, urbanization is not always the direct result of industrialization.  

Instead, it can be triggered by a concentration of industrial and commercial, financial, and administrative establishments in urban areas, as well as advancements in transportation and communication technologies, and cultural and recreational activities.  

Urbanization is an essential aspect of economic development, as the economy grows, there is an increase in per capita income and a corresponding rise in demand for non-farm goods in the economy. In the Indian context, urbanization is regarded as a socio-cultural, economic, and geographical process. 

1. Urbanization is a socio-cultural phenomenon that involves the mixing of people from different ethnic, linguistic, and religious backgrounds. An example of this is Kolkata. 
2. As an economic process, urbanization is driven by the productive activities that take place within cities. Cities rely on these economic activities to grow and develop. An example of this is Mumbai. 
3. Urbanization is also a geographical process that involves the movement of people from one place to another. This can take the form of migration or the changing of one's place of residence. 

Evolution of Urbanization in India 

Urbanization in India has a long and complex history, dating back to the Harappan civilization, which is thought to have been one of the world's first urban societies. The Indus Valley Civilization, which was centered around the cities of Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro, is estimated to have existed from 2600 BC to 1900 BC, and had a population of over five million people. 

During the colonial era, British policies had a significant impact on urbanization in India. British efforts to modernize the country's infrastructure and economy led to the establishment of several large cities, including Mumbai, Kolkata, and Chennai. These cities served as administrative and commercial centers for the British Raj, and were home to a growing urban population. 

After India gained independence in 1947, the government began to focus on developing the country's urban areas as a means of promoting economic growth and improving living conditions. The first five-year plan, introduced in 1951, included provisions for urban development, including the creation of new cities and the improvement of existing infrastructure. 

Subsequent five-year plans also emphasized urban development, with a particular focus on expanding the country's manufacturing and service sectors. As a result, India's urban population has grown rapidly in recent decades, with cities like Mumbai, Delhi, and Bangalore emerging as major economic and cultural centers. 

Today, the government's urbanization policies are guided by the Twelfth Five-Year Plan, which outlines a vision for sustainable urban development in India. The plan includes initiatives to promote economic growth, improve infrastructure, and address environmental challenges associated with urbanization. As India continues to modernize and develop, urbanization will likely continue to play a central role in the country's future growth and development. 

THE MAJOR CONTRIBUTION OF THE BRITISH TO THE INDIAN URBAN PROSPECT  

• In 1687-88, the first municipal corporation was established in Madras, marking the beginning of local self-government in India. 
• Municipal corporations were established in Bombay and Calcutta in 1726. 
• In 1882, Lord Ripon, the Viceroy of India, passed a resolution that led to the creation of panchayats at the village level, district boards, taluqa boards, and municipalities. 
• Lord Ripon's resolution of 1882 is regarded as the Magna Carta of local self-government in India. 
• The metropolitan port cities of Mumbai, Kolkata, and Chennai were established. 
• A chain of hill stations, such as Darjeeling, Shimla, Mussoorie, and Lansdowne, were created in the Himalayan region and South India. 
• The urban landscape of existing cities was modified with the introduction of civil lines and cantonments. 
• The introduction of railways and modern industry had a significant impact on urbanization. 
• Urban amenities and administration were improved during this time. 
• Modern education was initiated by establishing colleges and universities in major urban centers. 
• After Independence, urbanization accelerated due to the country's adoption of a mixed economy, which led to the development of the private sector.