This document provides an overview of rural and urban environments. It defines key terms and discusses the characteristics of each environment. Rural environments typically have lower population densities, less pollution, and more greenery and contact with nature. Urban environments are marked by higher population densities, more development, infrastructure and pollution as well as less greenery. The ecological footprint is typically higher for urban versus rural environments due to greater resource consumption and waste generation in cities.

1. Dr. Meenakshi Prasad
Assistant Professor
University Deptt. Of Geography
Magadh University, Bodh Gaya
AECC - 1

2. DISCLAIMER
The material for the presentation has been compiled from various
books and online sources & it is for general information &
educational purpose only.While the author makes an endeavour to
keep the information up to date and correct she makes no
representation of any kind about the completeness and accuracy of
the material.The information shared through this presentation
should be used for educational purposes only.

3. CONTENT
• Concept of Environment
• What is Rural and Urban Environment?
• Characteristics of Rural Environment
• Characteristics of Urban Environment
• Conclusion

4. CONCEPT OF ENVIRONMENT
• Everything that surrounds or affects an organism during its life time is
collectively known as its environment or in simple terms everything
surrounding a living organism, be it people, place or things constitute
its environment which can be either natural or man-made.
• The word environment has been derived from a French word
‘environner’ meaning to encircle or to surround.

5. • In the beginning, environment of early man consisted of only physical
aspects of the planet earth such as land (lithosphere), air (atmosphere)
and water (hydrosphere) along with biotic communities, but with the
passage of time and advancement of society man extended his
environment to include his social, economic and political functions too.

6. DEFINITION
• ‘The term environment is used to describe, in the aggregate, all the external forces, influences and
conditions, which affect the life, nature, behaviour and the growth, development and maturity of
living organisms’.
-Douglas & Holland
• ‘Environment refers to the sum total of all conditions which surround man at a given point in space
and time’.
-C.C. Park
• Environment means ‘the entire range of external influences acting on an organism, both the
physical and biological, and any other organisms, i.e. forces of nature surrounding an individual’.
-Encyclopaedia Britannica

7. TYPES OF
ENVIRONMENT
NATURAL
SOCIO-
CULTURAL

8. • Natural Environment - The natural environment comprises of the natural
elements found on planet earth. It can be sub-divided into (a)Abiotic
or physical environment and (b)Biotic environment
• Socio-cultural Environment - Man is not only a component of
environment but also is its creator.Through his actions and activities he
has added social, cultural, economic, political and religious
components to the environment and these man-made features
constitute the socio-cultural environment.

9. WHAT IS RURAL & URBAN ENVIRONMENT ?
• Settlement : In simple terms, a place of human inhabitation is termed as a
settlement. It comprises of a collection of dwellings forming a community.
• Types of Settlement : Broadly the settlements are classified into two types, viz.
Rural Settlement & Urban Settlement
• The environment of the above mentioned two types of settlements greatly
vary from each other

10. RURAL
A rural settlement is a settlement
in which the inhabitants are
predominantly engaged in
primary activities such as
agriculture, fishing, hunting,
gathering, etc.
URBAN
An urban settlement is a
settlement in which the inhabitants
are predominantly engaged in
non-primary economic activities

11. CHARACTERISTICS OF RURAL ENVIRONMENT
• Rural environment is characterised by a low density of population.We do
not find a lot of heterogeneity in population.
• Physical conditions in the rural environment are comparatively less
affected by anthropogenic activities as compared to urban areas.
• Since population pressure is less, consumption of environmental
resources is also less.

12. • Construction of houses involves locally available raw materials which is
more environmental friendly.
• Pollution level is low, be it air, water, soil or noise pollution.Vehicular traffic
is less and there are negligible industries which brings down the level of
air pollution as well as noise pollution.There is less discharge of waste in
water bodies and over the soil. Mostly agricultural wastes are generated
which in most cases are biodegradable.
• People are closely related to the environment and have a steadier contact
with nature as compared to their urban counterparts.

13. • Social fabric is more intricate and people are closer to one another.
But, in developing countries like in India the caste barrier can be felt.
• Recreational facilities and cultural activities are limited. Rural
environment usually don’t have much development in terms of
infrastructure.
• There is more greenery as compared to urban areas. Roads are usually
kutchcha or dirt roads and are covered with gravel and sand. Built up
area is less. Due to the above mentioned factors the temperature in a
rural environment is comparatively lower.

14. • Usually there is a lot of vacant land without any development in rural
areas.
• The generation of solid waste is less.

15. CHARACTERISTICS OF URBAN ENVIRONMENT
• The urban environment is marked by high densities of population.
• Urban community is a socially heterogeneous populace. It has a complex
social structure which influences social behaviour. Rapid social changes can
be observed in an urban environment.
• The problem of social barriers is minimal in an urban environment.There
are equal opportunities for jobs, education, etc.

16. • The per capita consumption of natural resources is comparatively higher in
urban environment as compared to a rural one.
• There is dominance of built up area. Land is used for developmental activities.
There is usually not much land available which has not been used for
developmental activities.
• Urban areas have more development in terms of access to infrastructure anad
connectivity.
• Less greenery is found.

17. • Raw materials involved for building purposes include concrete, cement,
bricks, etc. which absorb more amount of heat.
• Temperatures are higher as compared to rural areas. Creation of urban heat
island.
• Amount of waste generation is high be it solid, liquid or gaseous wastes. As a
result the urban environment records a higher level of air, water and soil
pollution.Vehicular traffic and industrial fumes lead to air pollution, discharge
of municipal sewage and effleunts in water bodies causes water pollution and
dumping of waste on ground leads to land pollution. Noise pollution is also
very high. Environmental problems like ceation creation of smog is exclusive
to this environment.

18. • Creation of slums is also characteristic to urban environment.
• Since most of the area is built up the discharge of surface run-off is
higher.

19. CONCLUSION
• The ecological footprint of an urban environment is comparatively higher
than that of a rural environment.
ECOLOGICAL FOOTPRINT:
• Ecological footprint is the impact of a person or community on the
environment, expressed as the amount of land required to sustain their use of
natural resources.
• The concept of ecological footprint was developed by William Rees and
Mathis Wackernagel.
• It is an indicator of the ecological impacts of everyday activities and
practices.