Rationalization of spatial organization of settlement systems: a case study in integrated rural development ( India).

Abstract

Since settlement patterns in ancient settled lands like India have developed under vastly different historico-cultural as well as politico-economic situations, the traditional settlement system appears neither rational nor viable to meet the requirements of modern society. With a view to overcome this existing pattern, a model of rational settlement system is devised within the framework of social, economic and physical planning. This would not only help conservation, but also lead to revitalization, renovation and restructuring of the limited resources of the countryside, which in turn, would build up an adequate infrastructure. The exercise would ultimately lead to spatio-functional integration of the existing incomplete system of settlements.-from Authors