What is metropolis ?

(a) In industrial societies, there are central cities used for business, entertaintment and residence. There are city suburbs situated just outside the boundaries of the city. These are used for residence, business and entertaintment. The neighbouring small towns and rural areas are connected with the central city in different ways.

(b) The central city, its suburbs, neighbouring towns and rural regions, are socially and economically linked together. This is called ‘metropolis’.

(c) When urban communities expand outside the city centure, these bring the neighbouring towns and rural areas under the fold of social and economic network. Thus, metropolitan growth takes place. This growth generally reduces the distinctions among the central city, suburbs, small towns and rural areas. The growth of urban areas, somtimes, connects cities which are located close to each other.