Topic wise Previous Year Questions (Solved) : Population and Settlement Geography | Geography Optional for UPSC PDF Download

Q1: Central Business Districts (CBDs) are in decline as the economic core of metropolitan cities. Critically examine. (2024)
Ans: Central Business Districts (CBDs), traditionally the economic hubs of metropolitan cities, are experiencing shifts due to decentralization, technological advancements, and changing urban dynamics. While some argue CBDs are declining, others see them adapting to new roles, as observed in 2024.

• Decentralization Trends: The rise of suburban business hubs and remote work has reduced CBD dominance. In 2024, cities like New York saw increased office vacancies in Manhattan as firms moved to Brooklyn or operated remotely.
• Technological Impacts: E-commerce and digital services have shifted economic activity online, diminishing CBD retail. In 2024, London’s CBD faced retail closures due to online shopping growth.
• Urban Sprawl: Mixed-use developments outside CBDs attract businesses. In 2024, India’s Bengaluru saw IT firms relocating to peripheral areas like Whitefield for cost efficiency.
• Resilience and Adaptation: CBDs remain vital for high-value sectors like finance and culture. In 2024, Singapore’s CBD retained its global financial status, while Tokyo’s CBD integrated green spaces to attract workers.
• Challenges: High costs and congestion deter businesses. In 2024, Mumbai’s CBD struggled with infrastructure strain, pushing firms to Navi Mumbai.

While CBDs face challenges, their decline is not universal. Reinvention through mixed-use planning and sustainability, as seen in 2024, ensures their continued relevance.

Q2: The urbanisation process is particularly pronounced in Asia and Africa, where too many urban residents grapple with extreme poverty, exclusion, vulnerability, and marginalisation. Discuss. (2024)
Ans: Rapid urbanisation in Asia and Africa, driven by population growth and rural-urban migration, has led to significant socio-economic challenges, with many residents facing poverty and exclusion, as evident in 2024.

• Poverty and Slums: Urban growth outpaces infrastructure, leading to slums. In 2024, over 40% of Nairobi’s population lived in informal settlements like Kibera, facing poverty and limited services.
• Social Exclusion: Migrants and minorities often face discrimination. In 2024, Delhi’s informal workers were excluded from urban welfare schemes, deepening inequality.
• Vulnerability to Disasters: Dense urban areas are prone to climate risks. In 2024, floods in Dhaka displaced thousands in low-income areas, highlighting vulnerability.
• Marginalisation: Lack of affordable housing and jobs marginalises the poor. In 2024, Lagos saw rising homelessness due to high rents and unemployment.
• Positive Initiatives: Governments are addressing these issues. In 2024, India’s PMAY scheme aimed to provide housing, while Ethiopia’s urban renewal projects improved Addis Ababa’s slums.

Urbanisation in Asia and Africa offers economic opportunities but exacerbates poverty and exclusion. Inclusive policies, as seen in 2024, are crucial for sustainable urban development.

Q3: What is Transnationalism? Why has the scale and scope of transnational linkages of diaspora multiplied in recent times? (2024)
Ans: Transnationalism refers to the sustained cross-border relationships, activities, and identities maintained by diaspora communities, connecting their host and home countries. Its scale and scope have expanded significantly by 2024 due to global connectivity and socio-economic factors.

• Definition and Features: Transnationalism involves economic, cultural, and political ties, such as remittances or dual citizenship. In 2024, Indian diaspora in the US sent $100 billion in remittances, supporting India’s economy.
• Globalisation and Technology: Digital platforms and affordable travel enable diaspora to maintain ties. In 2024, African diaspora used social media to fund community projects in Nigeria.
• Economic Opportunities: Diaspora invest in home countries, fostering linkages. In 2024, Chinese diaspora in Southeast Asia drove FDI in China’s tech sector.
• Policy Support: Governments encourage diaspora engagement. In 2024, India’s OCI scheme facilitated cultural and economic connections for its diaspora.
• Challenges: Transnationalism can strain loyalties or exacerbate brain drain, as seen in 2024 with skilled migration from Africa.

Transnationalism strengthens global networks but requires balanced policies to maximize benefits, as evident in 2024.

Q4: “In developed countries, migration rather than fertility will be the main driver of population dynamics over the next few decades.” Examine the statement. (2024)
Ans: In developed countries, low fertility rates and aging populations make migration the primary driver of population dynamics, shaping demographic and economic trends, as observed in 2024.

• Low Fertility Rates: Developed nations like Japan and Germany have fertility rates below replacement levels (1.3 and 1.5, respectively, in 2024), reducing natural population growth.
• Aging Populations: High life expectancy increases elderly populations, straining economies. In 2024, Italy’s aging workforce relied on migrant labor in healthcare.
• Migration’s Role: Inflows of young workers offset population decline. In 2024, Canada’s immigration policies attracted 500,000 migrants, boosting its labor force and diversity.
• Economic Impacts: Migrants fill skill gaps but face integration challenges. In 2024, the UK’s tech sector benefited from Indian professionals, though social tensions arose.
• Limitations: Migration alone cannot fully address aging issues, as seen in Japan’s 2024 labor shortages despite immigration reforms.

Migration will dominate population dynamics in developed countries, necessitating inclusive policies to harness its benefits, as seen in 2024.

Q5: Human migration is a reflection of the balance between push and pull factors. Elaborate with reference to the most recent diaspora. (2023)
Ans: Human migration results from push factors (adverse conditions driving people away) and pull factors (attractive opportunities drawing people in), shaping recent diaspora movements, notably in 2023.

• Push Factors:
  • Conflict and Instability: In 2023, Sudan’s civil war displaced millions, pushing refugees to Egypt and Chad.
  • Economic Hardship: Unemployment in Nigeria drove youth migration to Europe for better prospects.
• Pull Factors:
  • Economic Opportunities: Canada’s skilled worker programs attracted Indian professionals in 2023, offering high wages.
  • Education and Safety: The US drew African students with quality education and stability in 2023.
• Diaspora Patterns: The Indian diaspora in the Gulf, numbering over 9 million in 2023, reflects economic pull (jobs in UAE) and push (limited opportunities in India). Similarly, Ukrainian refugees in Poland were driven by war (push) and proximity with aid (pull).
• Challenges: Diaspora face integration issues, as seen in 2023 with cultural tensions in Europe.

Migration reflects a complex interplay of push and pull factors, shaping global diaspora and requiring inclusive policies, as evident in 2023.

Q6: Explain the problems and prospects of urban expansion in the context of urban fringe in developed and developing nations. (2023)
Ans: Urban expansion into the urban fringe, the transitional zone between cities and rural areas, presents both challenges and opportunities in developed and developing nations, as seen in 2023.

• Problems in Developing Nations:
  • Unplanned Growth: In India, Delhi’s fringe areas like Gurugram faced haphazard development in 2023, leading to inadequate infrastructure.
  • Environmental Degradation: Deforestation for housing in Lagos’ fringe in 2023 harmed ecosystems.
• Problems in Developed Nations:
  • Sprawl and Costs: In the US, Atlanta’s fringe expansion in 2023 increased commuting costs and land prices.
  • Social Segregation: Gated communities in Sydney’s fringe excluded lower-income groups in 2023.
• Prospects:
  • Economic Growth: Fringe areas attract industries. In 2023, Shanghai’s fringe hosted tech parks, boosting jobs.
  • Sustainable Planning: Developed nations like the Netherlands used green belts in 2023 to balance expansion and conservation.
• Examples: India’s Smart City projects in 2023 aimed to develop fringe areas sustainably, while London’s fringe saw eco-friendly housing.

Urban fringe expansion requires planned development to maximize prospects and mitigate problems, as seen in 2023.

Q7: What is the relation between gender equity and human development? Provide a list of commonly used gender-related indices. (2023)
Ans: Gender equity, ensuring fair opportunities for all genders, is integral to human development, enhancing economic growth, health, and social well-being, as evident in 2023.

• Economic Growth: Gender equity boosts productivity. In 2023, India’s women-led MSMEs under MUDRA Yojana contributed to GDP growth.
• Health and Education: Equal access improves human capital. In 2023, Rwanda’s high female education rates correlated with better health outcomes.
• Social Stability: Equity reduces inequality, fostering cohesion. In 2023, Sweden’s gender-equal policies enhanced social trust.
• Challenges: Cultural norms and violence hinder equity, as seen in 2023 in parts of South Asia.
• Gender-Related Indices:
  • Gender Development Index (GDI): Measures gender gaps in HDI components.
  • Gender Inequality Index (GII): Assesses health, empowerment, and labor disparities.
  • Global Gender Gap Index (GGGI): Evaluates economic, political, and educational equality.
  • Women’s Empowerment Index (WEI): Focuses on decision-making and autonomy.

Gender equity drives human development, requiring sustained policy efforts, as seen in 2023, supported by robust indices.
Suggested Diagram: A table comparing GDI, GII, and GGGI metrics with 2023 data.

Q8: “Rural settlements are expressions of the basic relationships between human beings and their physical and social environment.” (2023)
Ans: Rural settlements reflect the interplay of human activities with physical (land, climate) and social (culture, economy) environments, shaping their form and function, as observed in 2023.

• Physical Environment:
  • Topography and Resources: Flat, fertile lands foster nucleated settlements, like Punjab’s villages in 2023, while hilly areas like Nepal have dispersed patterns.
  • Climate: Monsoon-dependent agriculture shapes Indian rural layouts, with 2023’s timely rains boosting productivity.
• Social Environment:
  • Culture and Tradition: Caste-based clustering persists in Indian villages, as seen in Uttar Pradesh in 2023.
  • Economic Activities: Fishing villages in Kerala’s 2023 coastal areas reflect livelihood-driven settlements.
• Challenges: Environmental degradation and migration threaten sustainability, with 2023’s droughts in Ethiopia dispersing rural populations.
• Adaptation: Sustainable practices, like solar-powered irrigation in Rajasthan in 2023, strengthen rural resilience.

Rural settlements embody human-environment relationships, requiring balanced development to thrive, as seen in 2023.

Q9: Examine the morphological factors that influence the origin and growth of towns. (2022)
Ans: Morphological factors, including physical geography, accessibility, and socio-economic dynamics, significantly shape the origin and growth of towns, as evident in 2022.

• Physical Geography: Fertile plains and water availability foster town development. In 2022, towns like Varanasi grew along the Ganges due to fertile land and water resources.
• Accessibility and Connectivity: Strategic locations near trade routes or transport hubs spur growth. In 2022, Gurugram expanded as a commercial hub due to proximity to Delhi and highways.
• Natural Resources: Availability of minerals or forests drives town formation. In 2022, Jamshedpur thrived as an industrial town due to iron ore deposits.
• Socio-Economic Factors: Markets and cultural centers attract populations. In 2022, Jaipur grew as a tourism and trade hub, leveraging its cultural heritage.
• Challenges: Unplanned growth leads to congestion, as seen in Nairobi’s 2022 sprawl.

Morphological factors determine town development, requiring sustainable planning to balance growth, as seen in 2022.

Q10: “Overcrowding leads to chronic problem of shortage of housing in Indian cities.” Explain citing relevant examples. (2022)
Ans: Overcrowding in Indian cities, driven by rapid urbanisation and migration, exacerbates housing shortages, creating socio-economic challenges, as observed in 2022.

• Migration and Urbanisation: Rural-urban migration overwhelms infrastructure. In 2022, Mumbai’s population density of 21,000/km² led to slum growth in Dharavi.
• Limited Land Availability: High urban land prices restrict housing development. In 2022, Delhi’s skyrocketing costs pushed low-income groups to informal settlements.
• Policy Gaps: Inadequate affordable housing schemes fail to meet demand. In 2022, Bengaluru’s PMAY projects lagged, leaving many homeless.
• Socio-Economic Impacts: Overcrowding causes health issues and inequality. In 2022, Chennai’s slum dwellers faced waterborne diseases due to poor living conditions.
• Positive Steps: Initiatives like Mumbai’s 2022 slum rehabilitation projects aimed to provide housing but faced implementation challenges.

Overcrowding-driven housing shortages require urgent, inclusive urban planning, as seen in 2022 efforts.