settlement studies l1 Flashcards
(26 cards)
what is a settlement
a settlement is where people live and carry out activities e.g. farming ,trading and manufacturing
what is a site
describes the characteristics of the actual point of which a settlement is located
what is a situation
describes the location of a place relative to its surroundings (neighbouring settlements,rivers,highlands )
9 factors
water supply
avoidance of natural hazards
food supply
resources
fuel supply
relief
defence
building materials
accessibility
water supply
water is essential bc its needed daily and heavy to carry from a distance
rivers were sufficiently clean to give safe and permanent supply
in region when rainfall is unlimited/unreliable ,people settled where groundwater was near to the surface ,enabling shallow wells. such sites are called water-seeking / wet-point sites.
avoidance of natural hazards
where the likelihood of flooding was significant, settlements were usually built highest water mark
this is also to avoid diseases e.g. malaria associated with stagnant water
such settlements are known as dry-point or water-avoiding sites.
building materials
materials were bulky and heavy to move
transport was poorly developed
it was impt to build settlements near to supply of stone,wood,clay
food supply
ideal location was area suitable for both rearing of animals and growing of crops.
quantity,quality and range of farm produce often depended on climate,soil fertility and soil type
relief
refers to the height and gradient of land
<100m, low ,>100m, high
slope can be referred to flat/gentle ,moderate or steep
flat, low-lying land is easier to build on compared to high steep ground but this consideration is often overruled for need of defence
defence
many early settlements in britain were built on hilltops along recognised trade routes and commanding postitions
another classic defensive is to be surrounded by water on 3 sides, called a moat
fuel supply
even tropical areas require fuel for cooking purposes and staying warm on cool nights
in most early settlements, firewood was the main source of fuel
resources
settlements also grew in places with access to specific local resources e.g. salt, iron ore, coal
for example, mining towns would develop so it was easier for miners to go to work. these towns are usually well connected to ???
accessibility
settlement frequently developed where natural route ways converged
these confluence settlements often developed where 2/3 rivers meet(confluence) and where valley routes converged
2 types of settlements
rural and urban
main features of settlement
population size and density’
main function
amenities
way of life
population size and density
size- no. of peopl living in a place
density- number of people living in per unit area
main function
the main activities people carried out e.g. manufacturing, fishing, farming
may be classified as primary, secondary / tertiary industries
amenities
type and range of facilities avail in a settlement e.g. hospitals, schools, transport
way of life
how people live e.g. peoples daily activities are centered around their livelihoods
linear settlement
buildings are found on one/both sides of a linear feature
buildings may spring along the only road going through a village due to accessibilty (rural)
may also develop along major transport routes to increase exposure to potential customers passing thru (rural)
can be found along a river sometimes beaches
-transport
-source of fish
-water for domestic use
nucleated settlement
buildings are found around an impt point
develops when there is accessibility to facilitate trade such as road junction and river confluence
people lived close together for defence agaisnt enemies and wild animals ,for easy provision of services such as piped water, electricity and for social interaction
limited land for expansion
dwellings are grouped around a scarce source
dispersed settlement
buildings are spread out in an area
large individual farm can set up in area of extensive farming and population is rather small
dwellings may be dispersed as there is not threat in life
rural s developing into urban s
changes in function
increase in population
increase in trade
development of new facilities
development of resources
advancement of technology
what happens when population increases
disperse pattern may develop into linear pattern when road /railway line is built due to population increase
when 2 or modes of transport lines intersect, nucleated may deve
the needs for more goods and services arise and function may evolve from agriculture to industries
