Urban Morphology – UPSC Geography Optional & GS Paper-I 2025–26

Urban Morphology is the study of the layout and shape of human settlements and how they change over time. It looks at the arrangement, patterns, and changes of streets, buildings, and land-use areas within a city. This sub-discipline of urban geography helps understand how different zones—residential, commercial, industrial, and recreational—are arranged and interact in urban landscapes. Urban Morphology acts as a blueprint that reveals the historical, physical, and socio-economic factors shaping the growth of cities. For UPSC aspirants, it provides critical insight into the evolution of cities, making it an essential topic for both Geography Optional and GS Paper-I.

What Will You Learn from This Article?

• What is Urban Morphology and why is it important for UPSC Mains Geography?
• What are the different land use types and spatial patterns in Indian cities?
• How are the physical and social elements structured in urban settlements?
• What are the main theoretical models of Urban Morphology?
• How do different urban zones function according to these models?
• What are the key revision points and UPSC FAQs based on past analysis?

What is Urban Morphology?

Urban Morphology is the study of the form of human settlements and the processes that influence their structure and transformation. It focuses on the physical form of cities, including patterns of buildings, roads, open spaces, and land-use zones. In India, urban morphology reveals a stable structure where new towns develop marginally and most growth is due to expansion of existing settlements. Examples include ancient cities like Varanasi and planned cities like Chandigarh. Another example is Connaught Place in Delhi, which represents a well-planned central business district.

Urban Morphology Important Revision Points for UPSC Geography Optional & GS Paper-I 2025–26

• Urban Morphology studies the physical layout and growth pattern of cities.
• It focuses on building patterns, street networks, land use, and socio-economic functions.
• Prof. E. Ahmad included skyline, open spaces, historical and cultural factors in urban analysis.
• Census of India 2011 defines urban areas based on population, density, and economic criteria.
• Indian cities show minimal new town development and more growth from existing centers.
• Indian urban centers are classified into 4 types—ancient, medieval, colonial, and planned.
• Urban models include the Concentric Zone Model, Sector Model, and Multiple Nuclei Model.
• Western cities have grid structures; Indian cities are more irregular with mixed-use.
• CBDs in India, like Rajiv Chowk, show European influence but retain traditional characteristics.
• Urban land use is categorized as residential, marketing, industrial, institutional, and hypermarkets.

Urban Morphology Land Usage

Residential Land Use

In urban India, residential land is usually located farther from the city center. It includes housing for upper, middle, and lower classes. These areas are developed according to income levels and their closeness to commercial centers. For instance, suburbs in Delhi NCR display a variety of residential land uses.

Marketing Land Use

Marketing zones are located closer to the city center and include wholesale and retail activities. These areas have high land value and include central places like Connaught Place in Delhi.

Industrial Land Use

Light and heavy manufacturing zones are located farther from the city due to pollution concerns. Zones such as Okhla Industrial Area in Delhi represent concentrated industrial usage.

Institutional and Recreational Use

These zones include parks, educational institutes, hospitals, and recreational centers. They serve as support areas for residential clusters and are evenly distributed across planned cities.

Hypermarkets and MNC Zones

Zones dedicated to large-scale commerce such as hypermarkets and MNC offices are found in planned urban zones like Noida and Gurgaon, forming part of multiple nuclei in modern megacities.

Urban Morphology Social and Physical Elements

Urban Morphology has both physical and social components. These physical and social components determine the layout and operation of the city. 

Social Elements

Cultural Groups: Communities and ethnic enclaves affect land use and spatial distribution.

Economic Classes: The urban poor, working classes, and elites influence settlement patterns.

Workers: Land use is influenced by the location of working populations and their transport needs.

Sectors: Economic sectors like manufacturing, services, and technology affect urban structuring.

Physical Elements

Transportation Lines: Roads, railways, and metros structure city connectivity.

Educational Institutes: Placement of schools and colleges shapes surrounding development.

Entertainment & Recreation: Malls, parks, and theatres impact nearby land prices.

Industrial Units: Determine industrial zoning and influence residential planning.

Three Main Models of Urban Morphology

Urban Morphology is interpreted using three theoretical models developed by Burgess, Hoyt, and Harris-Ullman. Each provides a unique framework to understand land use distribution.

1. The Sector Model (By Hoyt and Davis)

The Sector Model divides the city into sectors radiating from the CBD along transport corridors. It takes into account the physical layout of urban functions like housing and industries.

Key Concepts:

• Urban expansion is along main roads and transport routes.
• Land use types produce wedge-shaped sectors rather than concentric rings.
• CBD is the centre but has differentiated land-use patterns radiating outward.

Zones in Sector Model:

• CBD (Zone 1): No residential, purely commercial; i.e., Connaught Place.
• Zone 2: Light industry with pollution and congestion.
• Zone 3: Slum residential; low density and bad sanitation.
• Zone 4: Middle class zone; improved civic amenities.
• Zone 5: Upper class residential; near job centers and metro connections.

2. Harris and Edward Ullman's Multiple Nuclei Model

In this model, cities grow as multiple centres, or "nuclei," rather than one central business district. Each nucleus functions for a specific purpose, e.g., commerce, housing, industry.

Key Ideas: 

• Cities have multiple centres for specific uses.
• Depending on their compatibility, functional areas can either attract or repel one another.
• The model captures the variety of planned cities and megacities.

Zones of Multiple Nuclei Models:

• The primary central business district is this.
• Second CBD: Emerging Development Urban Centre.
• Residential Zones: Residential zones for the upper, middle, and lower classes.
• Light and heavy industrial zones are used for manufacturing.
• Suburbs and Commute Zones: These are areas where people live and commute.
• Commuter Zone & Industrial Suburb: Dependency on travel and low-income housing zones.

3. Concentric Zone Model (By Parks and Ernest Burgess)

Select cities are depicted as growing in concentric circles from a central CBD. Every ring possesses a unique function and population.

Key Concepts:

• Urban regions grow outwards from the core in rings.
• Every ring is well defined with definite economic and social features.
• Expansion outwards is because of shifting lifestyle attitudes.

Zones in Concentric Model:

• Zone 1 (CBD): Commercial core with elevated land prices.
• Zone 2: Transitional slum with mixed land use.
• Zone 3: Workers' housing.
• Zone 4: Residential zones of wealthy groups.
• Zone 5: Commuter regions and suburbs.

UPSC Mains PYQs on Urban Morphology

• "Discuss the concept of urban morphology and its relevance in understanding the spatial structure of Indian cities." [Geography Optional Paper I, 2018]
• "Explain the models of urban morphology with suitable examples." [Geography Optional Paper I, 2016]
• "Analyze the impact of colonial urban morphology on contemporary urban development in India." [Geography Optional Paper II, 2015]
• "Critically examine the applicability of Western urban morphology models in the context of Indian cities." [Geography Optional Paper I, 2013]
• "Describe the morphological characteristics of Indian cities and discuss the factors influencing their evolution." [Geography Optional Paper II, 2012]

History of Urban Morphology

Urban Morphology as a discipline evolved in the early 20th century through European studies on urban spatial patterns. Burgess's Chicago School in the 1920s introduced the Concentric Zone Model, followed by Hoyt’s Sector Model. Harris and Ullman added the Multiple Nuclei Model to reflect growing city complexity. 

In India, cities have grown through historical accretion—from ancient towns like Varanasi to planned cities like Chandigarh. Prof. E. Ahmad contributed by identifying components like skyline, green spaces, and historical background. Urban morphology today continues to evolve with technological, demographic, and planning developments.

Important Books on Urban Morphology – UPSC Mains

For the aspirants studying for the UPSC Mains, particularly those with Geography Optional, the following titles give detailed accounts of Urban Morphology theories, concepts, and uses. These publications deal with both the classical school and modern schools of thought.