Settlement Defenitions Flashcards
(34 cards)
Site
Describes the point at which the settlement is located. Factors such as relief and resources are important when choosing a settlement
Situation
Describes where a settlement is located in relation to other surrounding features such as other settlements or physical features
Form/morphology
The outlining shape or structure of a settlement
Function
How a settlement is used by its residents and the people in the surrounding area. A settlement can have more than one function and functions generally change over time. They include commercial, route centre, market, industry and manufacturing, e.t.c.
Dispersed/loose knit
Large gaps between groups of houses, often when built on poor terrain such as marshland which is liable to flooding
Nucleated
Generally a circular or square shape of settlement, grouped around a central point such as a crossroads or church
Agglomerated
A settlement where the buildings are all clustered together
Linear
A long and narrow settlement, often following a road or river, sometimes through a narrow valley
Dry point site
An area which is often required for a settlement in particularly wet area to avoid damage by flooding or to be above unhealthy marshland
Wet point site
A feature especially needed in particularly dry areas as water is needed for many everyday uses. It was preferable that the site be near the settlement as water is heavy and hard to carry long distances
Bridging point
An area where a bridge could be built over a river
Nodal point
Where several valleys or natural routes met to create a route centre
Urbanisation
Urbanisation is the increase in proportion of people living in urban areas such as towns and cities
Urban growth
The rate of growth of an urban population
CBD
The central business district. This is the commercial and business centre of a city. This area often contains offices of companies, shops and transport links
Twilight zone
An urban area in a state of dilapidation or economic decline
Rural-urban fringe
This is the transition zone between rural and urban areas, often containing large, high income houses due to cheap land and many open spaces
Inner city
This is the area near the centre of a city, often containing industry such as factories, as well as some lower income housing and transport links
Shanty town
A deprived area on the outskirts of a town consisting of large numbers of shanty buildings. These areas have very unsubstantial buildings and are settlements for poorer people
Favela
A shack or slum usually found in the South American counties
Settlement hierarchy
The arrangement of settlements into a hierarchy based on their population, size or importance
Low order goods
An item or service which is generally inexpensive that people buy on a regular basis e.g. A newspaper, groceries, bread and milk
High order good
These are services and goods such as department stores or furniture stores. These are generally in larger settlements as they need many people to support them and make them profitable. These have bigger spheres of influence
Sphere of influence
The area served by a particular settlement. The area of the sphere depends on the size and services of a town and its surrounding settlements, the transport links and competition
