Chapter 4: Urban Settlements

Urban growth?

An increase in the number of people living in urban areas.

Level of urbanisation?

The number of people who live in urban settlements expressed as a percentage of the total population.

Rate of urbanisation?

The pace at which urbanisation takes place.

Urbanisation?

The process in which an increasing proportion of a country's population is concentrated in urban areas.

Where is the rate of urbanisation greatest?

In the developing world.

Key fact about global urbanisation?

Globally, each week one million people either move to or are born in a city.

Key fact about urban poverty in the developing world?

In cities of the developing world, 50% of the urban population has no access to clean water or sanitation.

Location?

Where a place is situated; the exact position of a place.

Physical factors influencing urban settlement location?

Climate, relief, drainage, natural harbours, and availability of water and resources.

Social factors influencing urban settlement location?

Religion, language, and culture.

Political factors influencing urban settlement location?

Governments can decide where to create urban settlements.

Economic factors influencing urban settlement location?

Trade, availability of resources, transport routes, jobs, and industry.

Primary activities?

Farming, mining, fishing, forestry, and hunting.

Secondary activities?

Manufacturing and industry.

Tertiary activities?

Also called services - for example retail, banking, education, transportation, and medical.

Quaternary activities?

The collection, analysis and transmission of information, for example media, research, and IT.

Aerotropolis?

A settlement close to a major airport with infrastructure and economic activities linked to the airport.

Central places?

Urban settlements that are accessible and provide goods and services to the surrounding population. Example: Upington.

Trade and Transport Route towns?

Urban settlements established due to trade and transportation, good for railway or sea transportation. Example: Durban, developed around a harbour.

Break-of-bulk points?

Established at a point where one mode of transport is changed for another and/or where the volume of goods being handled is reduced. Example: Saldanha Bay, Richards Bay.

Specialised cities?

Towns or cities that specialise in a particular activity. Example: Phalaborwa, specialised mining.

Junction towns?

Urban settlements that develop as important transport junctions such as river crossings, railway and road junctions. Example: De Aar in the Great Karoo.

Gateway towns or Gap towns?

Urban settlements located at a physical gap or space, such as a pass through a mountain range. Example: Worcester.