UGC NET Questions (Paper – 1)

Unplanned urbanisation refers to city growth that occurs without adequate planning,regulation and infrastructure provision. Such growth often produces slums,traffic problems and severe environmental pollution. It reflects a mismatch between population influx and urban management capacity. Therefore the description in the question accurately characterises unplanned urbanisation.

Option A:
Unplanned urbanisation typically lacks proper land use zoning and basic services. As a result,informal settlements arise and environmental quality deteriorates. This pattern explains the combination of slums and pollution highlighted in the stem.

Option B:
Sustainable urban design aims to create environmentally friendly,liveable and well serviced cities. It emphasises planning and efficient infrastructure,which is the opposite of the chaotic conditions described. Hence it is not the right answer.

Option C:
Rural reconstruction concerns improving living conditions and productivity in rural areas. While related to development,it does not refer to problems in rapidly growing cities. Therefore it is not appropriate for the question.

Option D:
Smart growth promotes compact,mixed use and transit oriented urban development to reduce sprawl and environmental impacts. It is usually seen as a positive planning approach,rather than the problematic situation outlined in the stem.

Statement B is the only wrong statement because the urban heat island effect actually results in higher temperatures in city centres compared to rural surroundings. Statements A, C and D are correct as they reflect well-documented environmental issues and solutions related to urbanisation. Rapid unplanned urbanisation does produce slums and poor sanitation, transport emissions worsen air quality and proper planning can mitigate such impacts. Therefore, the combination that identifies B only as wrong is the correct answer.

Option A:
Option A is incorrect because it treats statement A as wrong, whereas A accurately describes the consequences of unplanned urban growth such as slums, congestion and poor sanitation. These are widely recognised in urban studies and environmental planning. Since A is a correct statement, calling it wrong makes this option invalid.

Option B:
Option B is correct because it singles out statement B, which misrepresents the urban heat island effect by stating that city centres become cooler than rural areas. In reality, built-up surfaces and reduced vegetation make cities warmer, so B is clearly incorrect. As A, C and D are all correct, identifying only B as wrong satisfies the requirement of the question.

Option C:
Option C is incorrect because it claims both A and B are wrong. While B is indeed wrong, A is correct since unplanned urbanisation is strongly associated with slums and inadequate infrastructure. By including a correct statement in the set of wrong statements, this option fails the logical condition of the question.

Option D:
Option D is incorrect because it asserts that both B and C are wrong. C is correct because vehicle and transport-related emissions are major sources of urban air pollution and greenhouse gases. Grouping a correct statement with B in the wrong set makes this combination unacceptable.