Dominant Functions of Settlements

Dominant Functions of Settlements

• When we describe functions of a settlement we describe the main areas of employment

• There are 4 categories (industries) of jobs

Dominant Functions of Settlements

Primary – any job that deals with the extraction of raw material from the natural environment (forestry, mining, farming)

Dominant Functions of Settlements

Secondary – any job that processes raw materials (primary manufacturing – extraction of iron from iron ore)

OR

- Use the product of primary manufacturing to make a finished product (secondary manufacturing – making steel from iron)

Dominant Functions of Settlements

Dominant Functions of Settlements

Tertiary – jobs that provide a service (bank teller, dentist) – fastest growing sector in Canada (around 75% of working population employed in this industry)

Dominant Functions of Settlements

Quaternary – jobs that are involved with the communication of information ( teaching, research, computer programming, technology sector)

Dominant Functions of Settlements

• When you describe the present function of a town or city they you are describing the main area of employment for the population of the city

Dominant Functions of Settlements

• Factors that influence the function of a settlement is population and location

• Eg. Niagara Falls – area of scenic beauty attracts million of tourists – jobs in the tourist industry (accommodation and food) would be high (10.5% of the population works in this industry)

NIAGARA FALLS

Dominant Functions of Settlements

• Large cities are more diverse -have people employed in many sectors of the economy (Toronto)

• Provide services to a wide surrounding area (multi-functional)

Dominant Functions of Settlements

• Small cities – have people employed in fewer sectors of the economy (Saguenay)

• Usually provide services for small towns/villages immediately adjacent to the city

• Often these cities have specialized functions

Dominant Functions of Settlements

• When a city has a high percent of employment in a particular activity, this activity is described as the urban centre’s dominant function.

• Eg. Manufacturing in Hong Kong, Public Administration in Ottawa

Dependence on Single Industry - Tilt Cove

Location Quotients• The percentage of a city’s workforce in

any employment category when compared to the national average for that category. The location quotient is expressed as a ratio

• Eg. LQ 1.6 means 1.6 time as many people work in manufacturing in Hamilton, in 1985, than in Canada as a whole

Location Quotients• The percentage of a city’s workforce in

any employment category when compared to the national average for that category. The location quotient is expressed as a ratio

• Eg. LQ 1.6 means 1.6 times as many people work in manufacturing in Hamilton, in 1985, than in Canada as a whole

Location Quotients

• When comparing L.Q. it is important to compare L.Q.’s for cities of comparable size

• When a city’s function is dependent on one or two sectors of the economy and that sector decreases (manufacturing) what are the possible outcomes

Location Quotients

• The city must diversify (Hamilton)

• The city experiences decline (people move out and abandon the city (Youngstown Ohio, Flint Michigan)

Location Quotients

Buick City – Flint Michigan

Steel Mill – Youngstown, Ohio