Settlement Flashcards
(42 cards)
Settlement
A place where people live. A settlement may be as small as a single house in a remote area or as a large as a mega city (a city with over 10 million residents).
Site
The ground on which the settlement stands, in terms of its physical characteristics.
Situation
The location of the settlement relative to its surroundings, described in relation to other settlements, rivers, transport lines etc.
Service
A service is any activity that fulfils a human want or need and returns money to those who provide it.
(Services are often located in settlements).
Function
The function of a settlement of a settlement relates to its social and economic development and refers to its main activities.
Eg. Mining (Kiruna)
Hierarchy
Placing things in order of importance.
In settlement hierarchy this involves placing settlements in order from the largest population centre to the smallest population centre.
Characteristics good sites have
Defense
Aspect (shelter)
Dry point site
Bridging point
Flat land
Wet point site
Nodal point
Raw materials
Defense - Site characteristics
Settlements found on higher land (protection against enemey attack)
Aspect (shelter) - Settlement characteristics
South-facing slope will have more sun and protection from a cold northerly wind.
Dry point site - Settlement characteristics
Raised from surrounding area, meaning less likely to flood.
Bridging point - Settlement characteristics
Located at a narrow point on a river / stream, where it may be easier to cross.
Flat land - Settlement characteristics
Easy to build on and grow crops.
Nodal point - Settlement characteristics
Located where two natural routes meet.
eg. the confluence of two rivers.
Wet point site - Settlement characteristics
Near a river, for a constant water supply (and later transport)
Raw materials - Settlement characteristics
Close to raw materials, wood and stone, easily accessible.
Dispersed pattern
Isolated buildings are spread out across an area, usually separated by a few hundred metres with no central focus.
Typically an area containing buildings rather than a single settlement. Population is sparse + usually no services.
Where do dispersed settlements usually occur in?
- Remote or mountainous regions
- Areas where the land is predominantly used for agriculture
- Areas with limited job opportunities
- Locations with few, if any, job opportunities
Linear settlement pattern
Occurs in a line or arc shape. They typically follow a road, valley or water body. This allows the settlement to utilise transport routes.
They can also occur along valley floors where the sides are very steep.
Nucleated settlement pattern
Occurs in a circular shape with buildings mainly concentrated around a common centre such as a road junction, park or service area. Most large cities are nucleated indicating they are well planned.
Why do nucleated settlement patterns occur?
- Flat relief which is easy to build on
- The site has a bridging point
- The site is a good defensive position
- A good water supply
- No restrictions to development in any direction
- Good job opportunities
- Effective public services
- Good transport links
Examples of settlement functions
- Mining town
- Tourist resort
- Residential
- Administration
- Commercial
- Route centre
- Manufacturing
- Port
- Cultural / Religious
- Market twon
Hierarchy of settlement
Largest settlement
…
Conurbation
City
Large town
Small town
Village
Hamlet
Isolated dwelling
… Smallest settlement
Low order goods/ services (settlement)
Convenience goods or services such as milk or bread.
High order goods / services (settlement)
Comparison goods or services such as TVs and laptops.
