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Settlement Characteristics

How can we describe settlements?

site

situation functionshape

populationarea

What is a site?

What are site factors?

What is situation?

How can the shape of a settlement be classified?

What is the function of a settlement?

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Where were settlements built and why?

Site: describes the actual land upon which a settlement is built. Physical factors were most important in the initial choice of a site.

fuel

water supply

shelter

fertile soil

protection from the enemy

building materials

Can you think of any more factors?

What is a site?

What are site factors?

What is situation?

How can the shape of a settlement be classified?

What is the function of a settlement?

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Settlements were built in sheltered areas such as valleys or in bays on coastal locations. Aspect (the direction in which a settlement faces) was also an important consideration. Settlements would be more ideally located on south-facing slopes in the Northern Hemisphere and on north-facing slopes in the Southern Hemisphere. For example, in Britain, it was an advantage to be sheltered from cold winds blowing from the north, and to be facing south which meant more sunlight.

Aspect and shelter

Northern Hemisphere

sun is in the southsettlements on south-facing slopes receive more heat and sunlight

SN

Aspect and shelter

The town of Bradford-Upon-Avon in Wiltshire is located on a steep, south-facing slope.

Some settlement sites had specific advantages

Settlement sites

Where a river was shallow enough to be crossed (a ford) or narrow enough to easily build a bridge (e.g. Oxford).

Where natural routes meet, such as several valleys (e.g. York) or at the confluence of two rivers (e.g. St Louis on the Mississippi).

In especially wet areas, settlements were built on slightly raised land to avoid flooding or the unhealthy marshland (e.g. Ely in Cambridgeshire).

bridging point dry-point nodal point

Some settlement sites had specific advantages.

Settlement sites

These settlements were built at a source of water in an otherwise dry area. For example, in lowland Britain, many settlements were built at springs at the foot of chalk escarpments, e.g. Kemsingat near the North Downs.

In order to protect themselves from attack, settlements were built within a river meander, with the river giving protection on three sides, e.g. Shrewsbury, or on a hill with good views, e.g. Edinburgh.

defensive wet-point

Sites for settlements

Which is the best site for a settlement?

Imagine that you and your tribe have just arrived in this area. As the leader, you have to choose the best site for your village. How will you decide between sites A, B, C and D?

Write a paragraph to explain your choice of site. You should aim to refer to a wide range of factors.

Which is the best site for a settlement?

How can you identify site factors using maps?

Clues: the name of the settlement, relief, rivers etc.

The site of Guildford

Draw an annotated sketch map of Guildford to identify its original site factors. Watch the animation first to help you!

The site of Guildford

How important are physical site factors today?

In August 2004, the South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun announced that the capital was to relocate in order to ease overcrowding, redistribute the state’s wealth and lessen the danger of attack by North Korea. Seoul has been the capital since 1392. The new city will be located 100 miles to the south. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2007 and completed by 2030. The government estimates costs at 45

trillion won, or 40 billion US dollars.

Technology means that many site factors are no longer very critical in influencing the site of a settlement. For example, water is piped, road networks allow the delivery of food supplies via supermarkets, and computers and the internet provide communication. Political, social or economic factors are usually more important.

What is a site?

What are site factors?

What is situation?

How can the shape of a settlement be classified?

What is the function of a settlement?

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What is the situation of a settlement?

Situation: describes where a settlement is located in relation to other surrounding features such as other settlements, rivers and communications.

THE SITUATION OF GUILDFORD

Now do the same for the settlement where you live!

Organise the following statements into a logical order. Then use them to write a paragraph describing the situation of Guildford. You may need an atlas to help!

What is a site?

What are site factors?

What is situation?

How can the shape of a settlement be classified?

What is the function of a settlement?

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Dispersed

Nucleated or Compact

Planned

Linear or Street

Ring or Green

Cross

How is the shape of a settlement classified?

Planned

Nucleated

RingLinear

Cross Dispersed

How is the shape of a settlement classified?

What is the shape of each settlement?

Test your knowledge

Name ………………………………………………………..….Date…………………………..

What is a site?

What are site factors?

What is situation?

How can the shape of a settlement be classified?

What is the function of a settlement?

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What is the function of a settlement?

The function of a settlement relates to its economic and social development and refers to its main activities.

settlementfunctions

mining town

route centreport manufacturing

cultural/religious

tourist resort residential

administration

commercial

market town

Types of function

Functions

Every settlement has a residential function. Most settlements are multi-functional (have more than one function). In addition, most settlements have had a change in function from their original one.

For example, Rhondda was originally a coal

mining village but now has a tourist function

(mining museum).

Guildford

Study the next two slides showing photographs of Guildford and note the present day functions of this settlement. Is there any evidence of past functions?

The functions of Guildford

The functions of Guildford

THE CHANGING FUNCTIONS OF GUILDFORD

SETTLEMENT FUNCTIONS

Key ideas

Sitedescribes the actual land upon which a settlement is built.Physical factors were most important in the initial choice of a site. Technology means that many site factors are no longer very critical in influencing the site of a settlement.

Situation describes where a settlement is located in relation to other surrounding features such as other settlements, rivers and communications.

Functionrelates to the economic and social development of a settlement and refers to its main activities. Most settlements are multi-functional. In addition, most settlements have had a change in function from their original one.