Short Question-Answers
Q1. What is a city?
Ans. A city is an area with a large population, different businesses and occupations, government institutions, and developed transport and communication systems.
Q2. What is population density?
Ans. Population density is the number of people living per unit area, usually expressed as people per square kilometre.
Q3. Who are demographers?
Ans. Demographers are individuals who study the characteristics of populations, such as size, age structure and geographical distribution.
Q4. What is urbanisation?
Ans. Urbanisation is the shift of population from rural to urban areas and the corresponding decrease in the proportion of people living in rural areas.
Q5. Why did Sakchi develop into Jamshedpur?
Ans. Sakchi was chosen for Asia’s first steel plant because it was close to rich iron ore deposits. Industries and job opportunities helped it grow into Jamshedpur.
Q6. Why is Mumbai called the financial capital of India?
Ans. Mumbai became the financial capital of India after the establishment of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) in 1875.
Q7. Why is Bengaluru known as the Silicon Valley of India?
Ans. Bengaluru became an IT hub because of the concentration of software firms, start-ups and higher education institutions.
Q8. Name two cities famous for textile production.
Ans. Ludhiana and Tirupur are famous for textile production.
Q9. Why do cities become cultural hubs?
Ans. Cities bring together people from different regions who share their languages, customs, traditions, food and festivals.
Q10. What is a slum?
Ans. A slum is an overcrowded city settlement with poor housing and limited water, sanitation and other municipal services.
Q11. What is the Air Quality Index (AQI)?
Ans. The AQI is a numerical scale used to report air quality and indicate the level of air pollution and its risks to public health.
Q12. What is an urban planner?
Ans. An urban planner plans and designs how land in cities and towns is used to improve infrastructure and residents’ quality of life.
Q13. Why is Jaipur called the Pink City?
Ans. Jaipur is called the Pink City because buildings along its major streets were built using pink sandstone, giving the city a uniform appearance.
Q14. What is a Master Plan?
Ans. A Master Plan is a long-term planning document that provides a conceptual layout to guide future growth and development.
Q15. What are vertical gardens?
Ans. Vertical gardens are a method of growing plants on vertical surfaces such as walls, fences or structures instead of on the ground.
Long Question-Answers
Q1. How do cities become centres of economic activities?
Ans. Cities develop near rivers, coastlines and important trade routes because these locations support transportation and trade. Access to agricultural produce and raw materials encourages manufacturing and artisan communities. Over time, cities become centres of economic, political and administrative activities.
Q2. Explain the process of urbanisation.
Ans. Urbanisation begins when rural areas gradually develop into small towns and trading centres. The growth of industries, transport and services creates new jobs and attracts people from other areas. As the population increases, towns expand into cities and metropolitan areas.
Q3. Explain the factors responsible for the growth of Jamshedpur.
Ans. Sakchi was a small village chosen for Asia’s first steel plant because of its proximity to rich iron ore deposits. The Tata family developed the area with modern facilities for workers. More factories and employment opportunities attracted people, and Sakchi was renamed Jamshedpur in 1919.
Q4. How did Mumbai develop into an important economic centre?
Ans. Mumbai’s location along the Arabian Sea made it an important port city for domestic and international trade. The establishment of the Bombay Stock Exchange in 1875 helped it become the financial capital of India. Its film industry and modern infrastructure further supported economic growth.
Q5. How do cities act as cultural hubs?
Ans. Cities attract people from different regions, bringing together various languages, customs, traditions, cuisines and festivals. They provide facilities such as libraries, museums, cultural centres and sports stadiums. These spaces help people share knowledge, interact and build relationships.
Q6. What are the major challenges faced by cities?
Ans. Rapid population growth puts pressure on food, water, energy, housing and other infrastructure. Cities face traffic jams, pollution, waste generation, water scarcity, flooding and loss of green spaces. Slums, poor sanitation and higher crime rates also affect residents’ safety and well-being.
Q7. Why do slums develop in cities, and how can their problems be addressed?
Ans. Slums develop because there is not enough affordable housing for everyone migrating to cities. They often have poor housing and limited water, sanitation and municipal services. Improving housing, healthcare and education is important, and the Pradhan Mantri Aawaas Yojana provides affordable housing to economically weaker households.
Q8. How have communities helped revive lakes in Bengaluru?
Ans. Bengaluru faces water shortages during summer and flooding during the monsoon due to poor urban planning. Non-profit organisations, Resident Welfare Associations and local communities have helped revive lakes through desilting, repairing bunds and clearing drainage channels. Planting native species and restocking fish also help improve water availability and ecological balance.
Q9. Describe the main features of Jaipur’s urban planning.
Ans. Jaipur was designed by Vidyadhar Bhattacharya in 1727 using a grid pattern with rectangular blocks and wide streets. Its plan included open spaces, gardens, nine public squares and a wall with seven gates. Pink sandstone buildings, reservoirs and canals helped give the city its identity and support its needs.
Q10. How does Singapore demonstrate effective urban planning?
Ans. Singapore uses long-term planning and regularly updates its Master Plan to meet changing needs. Its public transport system connects railways, buses, cycling paths and walking corridors. High-rise buildings with rooftop and vertical gardens make efficient use of land, reduce heat and support biodiversity.
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