Spatial Analysis of the Trends, Patterns, and Potentials of Urbanization in North Bengal Division of West Bengal, India

Abstract

West Bengal is the fourth largest urbanized state in India, in terms of urban population, as per 2011 census. North Bengal division is a less
urbanized region with only 18.70 percent urban population recorded which is below the state as well as the country average. Although there
are many rural settlements in West Bengal and North Bengal division meet the first two criteria of the definition of urban settlement given by
census of India but due to agriculture dominant state, these rural settlements do not fulfilled the third criteria i.e., 75 percent of male working
population engaged in non-agricultural activities for being an urban settlement. They are potential urban centres that may include urban
settlements or mini-towns. This paper analyzes the trends and patterns of urbanization in the North Bengal division. It also attempts to examine
the pattern of potential urbanization in North Bengal division. In this paper secondary sources of data, basically Census of India, District Census
Handbook, District Statistical Handbook data and other relevant literature have been used. The rural settlements with 10,000 or more population
in North Bengal division has considered as a potential urban centres.