Theme 1 - Settlement - Service Provision Flashcards
(34 cards)
site
the location of the settlement
situation
the location of the settlement in relation to the surrounding area
bridging point
where a river is shallow enough to be crossed or narrow enough to eaily build a bridge
dry-point
in wet areas, when settlements are built on raised land to avoid flooding
nodal point
where natural routes meet or the confluence of two rivers
defensive
settlements built within a river meander, providing protection from attack
wet-point
a source of water in otherwise dry areas
factors affecting site
- access to water supply
- well drained land free from flooding
- south facing land -> optimum sunlight for agriculture
- fertile land for crops and livestock
- timber for building and fuel
- soil type
- relief
- accessibility / remoteness
- resources
settlement shape
dispersed
buildings are spread out
e.g. a farmhouse in the middle of fields
settlement shape
nucleated
buildings are close together
often around a junction, road or river crossing
settlement shape
linear
long and narrow in shape
built along rainways, riverbanks or canals
examples of settlement function
- mining town
- market town
- tourist resort
- residential
- commercial
- manufacuring
- port
- cultural/religious
mega city
an urban area with population over 10 million people
millionare city
city with population of over 1 million people
settlement function
the primary purpose or role of a settlement
sphere of influence
the distance people are willing to travel to a settlement for the avail of its goods and services
why do larger settlements (like conurbations) have larger sphere of influence?
because of the high order facilities they offer, they attract people from a wider area.
E.g. London has a global sphere of influence due to attractions such as big ben and the london eye.
threshold population
the minimum number of people who need to support a service in order for it to stay profitable
high order settlement
a large settlement, such as a city, that offers high order goods and services
middle order settlement
a settlement that offers middle order goods and services
low order settlement
a small settlement, such as a town, that offers low order goods and services
high order goods
goods and services that are expensive + have a high threshold population
people are willing to travel long distances to buy them
comparison goods
these have a higher value and are purchased less often.
E.g. household items, electrical goods, clothes and shoes.
People tend to go to several shops to compare products before buying them.
middle order goods
the goods that people buy less frequently, perhaps on a fortnight to monthly basis.
E.g. shoes and clothes
