There are two types of community i.e., rural community and urban community. There is a distinction between rural and urban communities based on the varying social conditions in each area.
Rural Community
Rural Community is defined as “a group of people living in a contiguous geographical area and interacting to meet their needs.” The people of this community depend absolutely upon the local resources. The rural community is a natural phenomenon. It is presented in almost every society of the world, having distinct cultures and patterns of social life. It is a natural product and a voluntary choice made by individuals who share common goals and aspirations in life.
Rural communities are deeply rooted in agriculture, which serves as their main identity. This kind of community mostly has face-to-face interaction with a high degree of homogeneity. Basic urban facilities like schools, hospitals, marketing, municipal offices, police stations, etc, are usually missing in this community.
Characteristics of Rural Community
Small Population
Rural areas have lower population densities due to the migration of individuals to urban areas in search of better opportunities and services.
Homogeneity
Rural communities have homogeneity in their professions. Agriculture is the sole source of income, passed down through generations. There is a strong sense of uniformity in dress, language, and customs. It means all these remain the same because their culture is the same and they belong to the same area.
Means of Communication
Rural areas have slow means of communication due to less access to advanced technology.
Adoption of Change
Rural areas have a very slow rate of change because of a lack of education and modern technology.
Simple Culture
Rural areas have a simple culture transmitted from generation to generation.
Informal Social Life
Rural areas have informal social life. People spend their lives in a simple way. There is no formal setup, and the system does not exist in rural areas.
Strong Relationships
Rural areas have strong relationships and interaction with the people. They help each other when they are in distress and share their happiness.
Lack of Modern Facilities
In rural areas, there is less pollution due to the lack of heavy traffic. People have fewer modern facilities for life, such as roads, markets, parks, etc, in the rural areas.
Agrarian in Nature
In rural areas, people show great hospitality to their guests and treat them as members of a family.
Celebration of the Events
In rural areas, people must celebrate events like Eid, Shab-e-Baraat, Ramadan, etc.
Endogamy
In rural areas, people marry their children to relatives. Rural people prefer endogamy marriages. Mostly, marriages occur on the basis of the caste system.
Scatter Housing Pattern
In rural areas, the housing pattern is equal and the same. People build their houses with mud and bricks. Their housing distance is long. Their houses are scattered along with one another.
Urban Community
“Urban community is defined as a group of people living in contiguous geographical area and enjoying greatest benefits of institutions of the society in order to fulfill their unlimited needs.” The urban community and the rural community are two distinct entities.
This type of people are highly impersonal of each other, along with a high degree of complexity and heterogeneity in their living styles and identities. It is actually a product of a complex division of labor with specialization in their jobs.
Characteristics of Urban Community
An urban community is an area that is developed and civilized based on geographical conditions. The characteristics of an urban community are following;
Large Population
The urban community is thickly populated because many people come from rural areas and settle down here.
Homogeneity
The urban community has no homogeneity in the profession. There is a diverse nature of professions for different types of people. There are many professions that people can earn, though.
Way of Living
In urban areas, there are differences in dress, language, and customs because of the variety of people living in urban areas with different backgrounds.
Means of Communication
Urban areas have fast means of communication, which is why they are rapidly becoming aware of what is happening around the world.
Rapid Social Change
Urban areas have a fast rate of change because of education and modern technology.
Complex Culture
Urban areas have a complex culture because of the mixing of other cultures.
Anonymity
In urban areas, people live anonymous lives. People are not aware of other people like neighbors, etc.
