settlement dynamics

Rural area

Low population density countryside area, where the economy is dependent on primary activity.

Rural landscape

Visual picture of a countryside settlement and how it is perceived.

Greenbelt

Areas of open land retained around a city, where development is restricted.

Urbanisation of poverty

Increasing concentration of poverty in urban areas, often due to rural-urban migration.

Rural-Urban Continuum

No sharp difference between settlements, there is a graduation.

Isolated settlement

Due to extreme environmental conditions and insufficient natural resources.

Dispersed settlement

Farmhouses separated by large farm areas with no nucleation of properties and 2-3 housing hamlets.

Nucleated settlement

Has economic, social and defensive purpose, originally clustered for defences in war.

Linear settlement

Properties along roads, rivers and transport lines, with people wanting close proximity to transport network.

Loose Knit settlement

Similar to nucleated, but settlements not closely clustered with farmland separating properties.

Green ring settlement

Village built around circular field for communal or religious purposes.

Planned settlement

US city fringes have planned settlements.

Declining Rural Populations

Younger generations move to urban areas, leading to ageing populations and 'rural decline.'

Housing Affordability

Wealthy urban residents buy second homes in the countryside, pushing up housing prices.

Loss of Traditional Farming

Small family farms struggle to compete with large agribusinesses.

Tourism vs. Local Needs

Some rural areas become dependent on tourism, which can lead to seasonal employment and infrastructure strain.

Transport and Connectivity

Limited public transport options make access to services difficult for non-car owners.

Climate Change Impacts

Changing weather patterns affect agriculture and water resources.

Urbanisation Pressure

Rural areas experience depopulation as people migrate to cities for better jobs.

Changing Agricultural Practices

Mechanisation and commercialisation of farming lead to loss of traditional livelihoods.

Environmental Degradation

Deforestation, soil erosion, and overuse of water resources due to increasing agricultural and industrial activities.

Inequality in Development

Some rural areas benefit from tourism and investment, while others remain underdeveloped.

Conflict over Land Use

Competition between farming, industry, and tourism leads to land disputes.

Poverty and Unemployment

Many rural areas in LICs lack employment opportunities, forcing people to migrate to urban areas.

Lack of Infrastructure

Poor roads, limited electricity, and inadequate water supply make daily life challenging.

Agricultural Challenges

Dependence on subsistence farming, land degradation, and vulnerability to climate change.

Poor Access to Healthcare and Education

Rural areas often suffer from a lack of medical facilities and schools, limiting development.

Land Tenure Issues in Kibera

Informal land ownership and disputes over land use hinder agricultural productivity and investment.

Rural-Urban Migration

Many young people leave rural areas in search of better opportunities in cities, leading to ageing populations in villages.

Depopulation & Ageing Population

Young and working-age individuals leave, leaving behind older populations and children, which slows rural development.

Labour Shortages in Agriculture

Fewer workers remain to farm the land, causing a decline in agricultural productivity.

Decline in Services and Infrastructure

Schools, healthcare centres, and local businesses close due to declining populations.

Gender Imbalance

In many cases, men migrate first, leaving behind women to manage farms and households.

Increased Dependency on Remittances

Families left behind rely on money sent from migrants.

Remittances Boost Rural Economies

Migrants send money home, which improves living standards and allows families to invest in farming, education, or business.

Reduced Pressure on Land & Resources

As people leave, competition for land and water decreases, improving conditions for those who remain.

Modernization of Agriculture

Some migrants return with new skills and invest in modern farming techniques, increasing productivity.

Improved Social Change & Education

Families may use remittances to educate children, leading to higher literacy rates in rural areas.

Urban Sprawl & Loss of Farmland

Expanding cities consume agricultural land, reducing food production.

Increased Cost of Living in Rural Areas

Rural land near growing cities becomes more expensive, making it hard for local farmers to afford land and housing.

Environmental Degradation

Deforestation, pollution, and waste disposal issues arise as rural areas urbanize.

Cultural Change & Loss of Traditional Livelihoods

Traditional farming and rural lifestyles decline as people shift to urban jobs or commercial farming.

Improved Infrastructure & Services

Urban expansion often brings better roads, electricity, and healthcare to rural areas.

Economic Diversification

New businesses and industries emerge, creating non-agricultural job opportunities.

Access to Markets & Technology

Farmers near cities gain better access to markets and modern farming tools.

Opportunities in Rural Tourism

Some rural areas benefit from eco-tourism and heritage tourism as cities grow.

Affordable Housing

Housing that is reasonably priced for low-income families, often lacking in rural areas due to high demand and second homeowners.

Second Homeowners

Individuals who own multiple properties, often driving up housing prices in rural areas.

Housing Stock

The total number of housing units available in a given area, which can be limited by various factors.

Designations

Regulatory classifications such as areas of natural beauty that restrict new land development.

Rural Exception Clause

A provision in local plans that allows development of land if it meets identified local needs.

Affordable Housing Requirement

A stipulation that 60% of housing developed on certain sites must be designated as affordable.

Tourism

An essential economic base for rural areas that can lead to a lack of housing for locals due to high demand.

Dependent Population

A demographic primarily consisting of elderly individuals, which can put pressure on local services.

Key Workers

Essential personnel such as nurses whose presence is critical for local services but are often in short supply.

Transport Infrastructure

The physical systems that facilitate transportation, which can be inadequate in rural areas.

BCP

Bournemouth, Christchurch, and Poole, which draws most local investment in the region.

Dorset Innovation Park

A development aimed at attracting businesses and improving employment opportunities in the area.

Purbeck Transport Strategy

A plan to improve bus services, traffic, and rail connections in the Purbeck area.

Urbanisation

The increase in the proportion of people living in urban areas compared to rural areas.

LICs, MICs, and HICs

Low-Income Countries, Middle-Income Countries, and High-Income Countries, which experience urbanisation differently.

Transport Limitations

Challenges such as limited bus routes and main roads that affect accessibility for residents.

Build Better Lives

An initiative aimed at improving housing conditions to attract key workers in Wareham.

Cost of Transport Strategy in Purbecks

The financial requirement of over £5.5 million to implement the Purbeck transport strategy.

Supply Issues

Delays in project implementation due to shortages in materials or resources.

Elderly Driving Limitations

The inability of many elderly residents to drive, impacting their mobility and access to services.

Seasonal Employment

Jobs that are only available during certain times of the year, often low-paid and tied to tourism.

LICs and MICs

Countries with low-income and middle-income economies, such as Nigeria, India, and Brazil.

Rural-to-Urban Migration

The movement of people from rural areas to urban areas.

Push factors

Conditions that drive people away from rural areas, including lack of jobs, poor infrastructure, low agricultural productivity, and environmental hazards.

Pull factors in urban areas

Attractions that draw people to urban areas, such as job opportunities, better services, and perceived higher quality of life.

Natural Increase

The growth of population in urban areas due to higher birth rates among young migrants.

Economic Growth & Industrialisation

The expansion of job opportunities in urban areas, including both informal and formal employment.

Historic Urbanisation

The process of urban growth that occurred largely between the 18th and 20th centuries due to the Industrial Revolution.

Modern Causes of Urbanisation

Factors such as globalisation and the shift to service-based economies contributing to urban growth.

Consequences of Urbanisation

The effects of urban growth, which can be both positive and negative.

Growth of informal settlements

The expansion of unplanned housing areas, such as Kibera in Nairobi.

Overstretched services

The strain on urban services like sanitation, healthcare, and education due to rapid population growth.

Traffic congestion

The overcrowding of roadways leading to delays and increased pollution.

Counter urbanisation

The movement of people from urban areas to rural or suburban areas, often seen in HICs and some MICs.

Re-urbanisation

The movement of people back into urban areas, particularly inner-city zones.

Competition for Land Use

The struggle for space in urban areas where multiple land uses compete, especially in central areas.

Urban Renewal

The process of redeveloping deteriorated parts of the city to improve conditions and promote investment.

World City

A city that has global influence in economics, politics, culture, and innovation, acting as a command and control center of the global economy.

Gentrification

The process of renovating urban neighborhoods, often leading to rising house prices and changes in community character.

Urban sprawl

The uncontrolled expansion of urban areas into surrounding rural land.

Cultural diversity

The presence of multiple cultural groups within urban areas, contributing to a rich social fabric.

Depopulation of inner cities

The decline in population in urban centers, often due to counter urbanisation.

Alpha++

Most integrated with global economy

Alpha+

Highly connected, regional influence

Alpha

Strong economic and cultural roles

Beta

Important nationally or regionally

Gamma

Emerging world cities

Globalisation

Increased interconnectedness of economies and people

Economic Restructuring

Shift from manufacturing to service-based economies

Transport and Communication Advances

Development of international airports and transport networks

Government Policy

Proactive urban planning and infrastructure investment

Cultural Power and Soft Influence

Home to global media, entertainment, and fashion

Positive Impacts of World City Growth

Attracts investment, jobs, infrastructure development

Negative Impacts of World City Growth

High cost of living and housing affordability issues