Urban Settlements (Unit 17)

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Settlement

A place where people live and carry out economic and social activities.

Urban settlement

A settlement where most people are employed in secondary, tertiary and quaternary activities and where buildings and infrastructure are closely grouped.

Rural settlement

A settlement where most people are employed in primary activities such as farming, forestry, fishing and mining.

Urbanisation

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

Urban growth

The increase in the number of people living in urban areas due to urbanisation and natural population increase.

Urban expansion

The increase in the physical size or area of an urban settlement over time.

Urban sprawl

The uncontrolled or unplanned outward spread of urban development into surrounding rural areas.

Site

The actual piece of land on which a settlement is built.

Situation

The location of a settlement in relation to surrounding features, settlements, transport routes and resources.

Location

The position of a settlement, determined by both its site and its situation.

Central Business District (CBD)

The commercial and business centre of a city where land values, accessibility and building heights are usually highest.

Transition zone (Zone of transition/Twilight zone/Inner city)

The zone surrounding the CBD that contains mixed land uses and is often characterised by urban decay, older buildings and lower-income housing.

Residential zone

The part of a settlement where people live.

Industrial zone

The area where factories, warehouses and manufacturing activities are concentrated.

Commercial zone

The area where shops, offices, banks and businesses are located.

Urban profile

A cross-sectional view of a city from the CBD to the rural-urban fringe showing changes in building height, density and land use.

Rural-urban fringe

The outer edge of the city where urban and rural land uses meet.

Green belt

An area of protected open land surrounding a city where development is restricted to limit urban sprawl.

Accessibility

The ease with which people, goods and services can reach a location.

Land value

The monetary value of land based on factors such as accessibility, demand and location.

Bid-rent theory

The theory that different land users are willing to pay different amounts for land depending on accessibility and the economic benefits of that location.

Centripetal forces

Factors that attract people and activities towards the CBD.

Centrifugal forces

Factors that push people and activities away from the CBD towards the urban fringe.

Compatibility

The degree to which different land uses can exist together without conflict.

Incompatible land uses

Land uses that negatively affect each other when located together.

Functional zone

An area of a settlement where a particular land use or activity predominates.

Function of a settlement

The main economic or social activity performed by a settlement.

Multifunctional settlement

A settlement that performs several economic and social functions.

Central place

A settlement that provides goods and services to the surrounding population.

Threshold population

The minimum number of people needed to support a particular service or business.

Sphere of influence (Hinterland)

The surrounding area from which a settlement attracts people for goods and services.

Break of bulk point

A place where goods are transferred from one mode of transport to another.

Junction town

A settlement located where important transport routes meet.

Gateway town (Gap town)

A settlement located where transport routes pass through a physical barrier such as a mountain pass or bridge.

Specialised town

A settlement whose economy is dominated by one main function or activity.

Administrative town

A settlement whose main function is government and administration.

Industrial town

A settlement whose main economic activity is manufacturing.

Mining town

A settlement that developed because of mining activities.

Recreational town

A settlement whose main function is tourism and leisure.

Military town

A settlement whose main function is defence and military activities.

Quaternary activities

Economic activities that provide specialised knowledge, research, information and expert services.

Urban decay

The deterioration of buildings, infrastructure and environmental quality in parts of a city.

Informal settlement

An area where people live in self-built dwellings, usually without legal land ownership and often with limited access to basic services.

Infrastructure

The basic physical systems needed for a settlement to function, such as roads, electricity, water supply, sewage systems and communication networks.

Basic services

Essential services required for human well-being, including housing, clean water, sanitation, electricity, healthcare and education.

Where did the first major urban settlements develop?

The first major urban settlements developed in southern Mesopotamia (present-day Iraq) about 6 000 years ago. Later, cities developed in Egypt, Turkey and China.

Why did early urban settlements develop?

They developed when farmers produced a surplus of food, allowing some people to specialise in non-agricultural occupations such as trading, administration, religion, defence and manufacturing.

Why were the earliest settlements mainly rural?

People depended on agriculture for food, shelter and security, so settlements were centred on farming.

How did food surpluses contribute to urbanisation?

Food surpluses meant fewer people were needed for farming, allowing others to become traders, craftsmen, administrators and religious leaders, leading to the growth of towns and cities.

What is the relationship between urbanisation and economic development?

As countries industrialise and develop economically, more people move to urban areas for employment and services, increasing urbanisation.

Distinguish between urbanisation, urban growth and urban expansion.

• Urbanisation – increase in the percentage of people living in urban areas. • Urban growth – increase in the number of people living in urban areas. • Urban expansion – increase in the physical size of the urban area.

What are the main causes of urbanisation?

• Rural-urban migration • Natural population increase • Industrialisation • Economic development • Better employment opportunities

What is rural-urban migration?

The movement of people from rural areas to urban areas in search of better opportunities and living conditions.

What are common push factors causing rural-urban migration?

• Unemployment • Poverty • Low agricultural productivity • Drought • Lack of services • Poor healthcare • Limited educational opportunities • Few economic opportunities.

What are common pull factors attracting people to cities?

• Better employment opportunities • Higher wages • Better healthcare • Better education • Improved infrastructure • Better transport • Access to services • Higher standard of living.

State two positive effects of urbanisation often tested by IEB.

• Stimulates economic growth and technological development. • Improves access to services such as healthcare and education.

State additional advantages of urbanisation.

• Larger labour force • Better infrastructure • Improved transport systems • Increased trade • Better communication • More specialised services • Greater economic opportunities.

State the disadvantages of rapid urbanisation.

• Housing shortages • Informal settlements • Traffic congestion • Pollution • Crime • Unemployment • Urban sprawl • Pressure on infrastructure • Increased demand for basic services.

What is meant by the location of a settlement?

The position of a settlement as determined by both its site and its situation.

What is the difference between site and situation?

• Site refers to the actual land on which the settlement is built. • Situation refers to the settlement's relationship with surrounding features, transport routes and other settlements.

List the main physical site factors affecting the location of settlements.

• Water supply • Relief/topography • Fertile soils • Fuel supply • Building materials • Grazing land • Arable land • Protection from natural hazards.

Why is water supply an important site factor?

• Drinking water • Domestic use • Irrigation • Industry • Transport (where applicable).

Why are fertile soils important for settlement location?

Fertile soils support agriculture, providing food and encouraging settlement development.

Why is relief important when selecting a settlement site?

Flat or gently sloping land is easier and cheaper to build on and transport across.

Why are natural resources important in settlement location?

They provide raw materials and employment opportunities that stimulate settlement growth.

Why is defence an important site factor?

Early settlements were often built in locations that were easier to defend from attack.

Why is avoiding natural hazards important when selecting a site?

Settlements are safer and suffer less damage if they avoid floods, unstable slopes and strong winds.

What are the main situation factors affecting settlement location?

• Accessibility • Transport routes • Communication routes • Trade opportunities • Nearby settlements • Economic links.

Why are transport routes important for settlement development?

They improve the movement of people, goods and services and encourage trade and economic growth.

How has the importance of site changed over time?

Early settlements depended mainly on physical site factors, while modern settlements are increasingly influenced by economic and political factors.

Give an example of a settlement established mainly for political reasons.

Atlantis, near Cape Town.

Give an example of a settlement established mainly for economic reasons.

Sasolburg.

Why was Graaff-Reinet originally established at its present site?

• Reliable water supply from the Sundays River. • Close to the Frontier Wars for defence and administration.

What are the present-day functions of Graaff-Reinet?

• Administrative centre • Service centre • Tourism • Agriculture (especially sheep farming).

Why has Graaff-Reinet experienced economic decline?

• Young people migrate to cities. • Bypass roads reduce passing trade. • Large service centres attract travellers. • Threshold changes have caused businesses to close.

Why was Loxton originally established?

To serve the surrounding sheep-farming community.

What are Loxton's present-day functions?

• Agricultural service centre • Sheep farming • Garlic production • Tourism • Bird watching.

Why do tourists visit Graaff-Reinet?

• Historic buildings • National monuments • Karoo scenery • Cultural heritage.

Why do tourists visit Loxton?

• Historic Karoo architecture • Bird watching • Rural tourism • Agricultural attractions.

What is meant by the function of an urban settlement?

The main economic or social activity performed by the settlement.

Why are most modern cities described as multifunctional?

They perform several economic, social and administrative functions rather than only one.

What is a central place?

A settlement that provides goods and services to the surrounding population.

What goods and services are provided by central places?

• Retail • Education • Healthcare • Banking • Government services • Entertainment.

What is a trade or transport town?

A settlement whose main function is the movement, exchange and distribution of goods and people.

What is a break of bulk point?

A settlement where goods are transferred from one form of transport to another.

Give examples of break of bulk points.

• Durban Harbour • Kokstad (rail to road).

What is a junction town?

A settlement that develops where important transport routes meet.

Give examples of junction towns.

• De Aar • Beaufort West • Upington.

What is a gateway (gap) town?

A settlement that develops where transport routes pass through a natural barrier such as a mountain pass or bridge.

Name examples of specialised towns and state their dominant function.

• Sishen – mining • Phalaborwa – mining • Vanderbijlpark – iron and steel industry • Sasolburg – petrochemical industry • Secunda – synthetic fuel production • Margate – recreation/tourism • Simon's Town – military/naval base.

What is an urban profile?

A cross-sectional view of a city from the CBD to the rural-urban fringe showing changes in building height, density and land use.

What generally happens to building height from the CBD to the rural-urban fringe?

Buildings are tallest in the CBD and generally become shorter towards the outskirts.

How does building density change from the CBD to the rural-urban fringe?

Building density is highest in the CBD and generally decreases towards the rural-urban fringe.

How does traffic volume change from the CBD to the rural-urban fringe?

Traffic and pedestrian movement are greatest in the CBD and decrease towards the outskirts.

How does open space change from the CBD to the rural-urban fringe?

Open space is limited in the CBD and increases towards the outskirts.

Why are buildings in the CBD usually the tallest?

• Land is very expensive. • Developers maximise land use by building upwards. • Accessibility is highest. • Businesses compete for limited space.

Why is land most expensive in the CBD?

• Highest accessibility • Greatest customer access • Limited land available • High demand from businesses.

Why do businesses locate in the CBD?

• Maximum accessibility • High customer numbers • Good transport links • Concentration of services • High visibility.

Why are transport routes focused on the CBD?

The CBD is the most accessible part of the city and acts as the main commercial and business centre.

Why are there few residential buildings in the CBD?

• Commercial activities outbid residential land uses. • Land values and rents are very high. • Congestion, pollution and noise reduce residential appeal.