A Geo-Spatial Study of Rural Settlement Spacing in Nashik District

Abstract This study has attempted to examine rural settlements' spatial distribution, growth and socioeconomic landscape in relation to spatial variation in Nashik District, Maharashtra. The spatial distribution and spacing of rural settlements are significantly influenced by a combination of physical, environmental, socio-economic, and historical factors. This study examines the spacing of rural settlements in different tehsils of the study region, categorized into three types: low spacing (below 2.00 km), moderate spacing (2 to 3 km), and high spacing (above 3.00 km). The low-spacing area, represented by Peth tehsil, is characterized by hamletted settlements due to rugged terrain, dense forest cover, limited cultivable land, and poor infrastructure. Moderate spacing is observed in ten tehsils including Nashik, Dindori, and Niphad, where fertile agricultural land, irrigation facilities, and transportation connectivity support more evenly distributed settlements. High-spacing tehsils such as Malegaon and Sinnar show dispersed settlement patterns driven by non-perennial water sources, industrial influence, and topographical constraints. The database used SOI toposheets, district census handbooks, satellite images and DEM. GIS techniques like digitisation, vector overlay, raster and buffering analysis are applied to get the results. Field observations also carried out to identify and interpret the patterns and causes of rural settlement spacing, contributing to a better understanding of regional development and rural geography. Importance of geo-spatial study of rural settlements in the Nashik District is shown by this study. Considering spatial pattern of rural settlements varies across the region, primarily influenced by topography, water resources, agricultural suitability, infrastructure, and economic opportunities.