SETTLEMENT
A settlement is a place where people live
They have aspects that enable people to meet their needs
Buildings
Systems (transport, water, communications)
Differences in Physical
climate landscape
Settlements are
different according to:
Availability of Culture of
natural resources people
SITE & SITUATION
The location of a settlement is described in terms of site and situation
SITE OF A SETTLEMENT
The site of a settlement is the physical space (actual ground) that a
settlement occupies
The exact point of the location
The site is selective to the needs of the people living in the settlement:
Availability of fresh water
Energy sources
Aspect
Soil fertility
, Drainage
Access to transport and communication networks
Grazing for animals
Distance from market
Topography
Availability of building material
Micro-climate
Defence
SITUATION OF A SETTLEMENT
The situation of a settlement is the relationship between a settlement and
its surrounding environment
The areas around the site
CLASSIFICATION OF SETTLEMENTS
RURAL SETTLEMENTS:
A settlement that is unifunctional (one main function) and is associated
with primary economic activities
URBAN SETTLEMENTS:
A settlement that is multifunctional (many functions) and is associated
with secondary, tertiary and quaternary economic activities
ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES
Primary Secondary Tertiary Quaternary
(extraction) (processing) (services) (research)
Farming Milling Education Information
technology
Fishing Canning Health Medical
specialists
, Forestry Furniture Transport Environmental
making consultants
Mining Jewelers making Finance Trend analysts
Settlements can also be classified according to size, complexity and pattern
1. SIZE
The physical size of a settlement usually corresponds to the size of the
population
1. ISOLATED FARMSTEAD - consists of a few buildings and one or two
families
2. HAMLET - a small grouping of a few farmsteads. It may have its own
church but does not have any shops or services
3. VILLAGE - a fairly large farming community which may have a post
office, a few dealers and its own primary school
4. TOWN - the smallest urban settlement that provides secondary
activities and services such as a hospital
5. CITY - a large urban centre that offers specialised services such as a
university and an international airport
6. METROPOLIS - a very large urban area consisting of a large city and
its neighbouring towns and suburbs
A settlement is a place where people live
They have aspects that enable people to meet their needs
Buildings
Systems (transport, water, communications)
Differences in Physical
climate landscape
Settlements are
different according to:
Availability of Culture of
natural resources people
SITE & SITUATION
The location of a settlement is described in terms of site and situation
SITE OF A SETTLEMENT
The site of a settlement is the physical space (actual ground) that a
settlement occupies
The exact point of the location
The site is selective to the needs of the people living in the settlement:
Availability of fresh water
Energy sources
Aspect
Soil fertility
, Drainage
Access to transport and communication networks
Grazing for animals
Distance from market
Topography
Availability of building material
Micro-climate
Defence
SITUATION OF A SETTLEMENT
The situation of a settlement is the relationship between a settlement and
its surrounding environment
The areas around the site
CLASSIFICATION OF SETTLEMENTS
RURAL SETTLEMENTS:
A settlement that is unifunctional (one main function) and is associated
with primary economic activities
URBAN SETTLEMENTS:
A settlement that is multifunctional (many functions) and is associated
with secondary, tertiary and quaternary economic activities
ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES
Primary Secondary Tertiary Quaternary
(extraction) (processing) (services) (research)
Farming Milling Education Information
technology
Fishing Canning Health Medical
specialists
, Forestry Furniture Transport Environmental
making consultants
Mining Jewelers making Finance Trend analysts
Settlements can also be classified according to size, complexity and pattern
1. SIZE
The physical size of a settlement usually corresponds to the size of the
population
1. ISOLATED FARMSTEAD - consists of a few buildings and one or two
families
2. HAMLET - a small grouping of a few farmsteads. It may have its own
church but does not have any shops or services
3. VILLAGE - a fairly large farming community which may have a post
office, a few dealers and its own primary school
4. TOWN - the smallest urban settlement that provides secondary
activities and services such as a hospital
5. CITY - a large urban centre that offers specialised services such as a
university and an international airport
6. METROPOLIS - a very large urban area consisting of a large city and
its neighbouring towns and suburbs
