[Manish Jain]

The rural-urban fringe is the boundary zone outside the urban area proper where rural and urban land uses intermix. It is an area of transition from agricultural and other rural land uses to urban use. Located well within the urban sphere of influence the fringe is characterised by a wide variety of land use including dormitory settlements housing middle-income commuters who work in the main urban area. Over time the characteristics of the fringe change from largely rural to largely urban. Suburbanisation takes place at the urban boundary of rural-urban fringe. 
 

• Rural-urban fringe (RUF) is the boundary zone outside the urban area proper where rural and urban land uses intermix. 
  
• RUF is the area where the city meets the countryside. 
  
• RUF is an area of transition from agricultural and other rural land uses to urban use. 
  

The rural-urban fringe is the zone of transition in land use, social and demographic characteristics, lying between 
(a) the continuously built- up urban and suburban areas of the central city, and 
(b) the rural hinterland, 
characterized by the almost complete absence of nonfarm dwellings, occupations and land use, and of urban and rural social orientation; an incomplete range and penetration of urban utility services; uncoordinated zoning or planning regulations; a-real extension beyond although contiguous with the political boundary of the central city; and an actual and potential increase in population density, with the current density above that of surrounding rural districts but lower than the central city. These characteristics may differ both zonally and sectorally, and will be modified 
through time.