Rural Settlement Issues (Settlements)

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What is a rural settlement?

A settlement where most people are involved in primary economic activities (especially farming) and where the population density is low.

What is an urban settlement?

A densely populated settlement where most people are employed in secondary and tertiary economic activities.

Define rural–urban migration.

The movement of people from rural areas to urban areas.

Define urbanisation.

The increase in the proportion of people living in urban areas, mainly due to rural–urban migration and natural population growth.

Define rural depopulation.

The decrease in the number of people living in rural areas, mainly due to rural–urban migration.

Define a push factor.

A factor that forces people to leave a rural area.

Define a pull factor.

A factor that attracts people to an urban area.

Define social justice.

The fair and equal distribution of opportunities, resources and rights within society.

Define injustice.

Any action involving unfairness to another person or the violation of their rights.

Define access to resources.

The ability of people to obtain and use essential services and resources such as water, healthcare, education, electricity, transport and land.

Define land reform.

Government programmes aimed at correcting past injustices in land ownership and improving access to land.

Define land restitution.

The return of land, or compensation, to people who were dispossessed of their land because of past discriminatory laws.

Define land redistribution.

Government programmes that make land available to previously disadvantaged people for farming or settlement.

Define land tenure.

The legal right to own, occupy or use land.

Define land tenure reform.

Measures that secure the land rights of people living on land owned by others and protect them from unfair eviction.

What is a town?

A densely populated urban settlement that is smaller than a city.

What is a city?

A large urban settlement where many people live and work.

What is a metropolis?

A major city surrounded by smaller dependent towns.

What is a conurbation?

A large urban area formed when neighbouring towns and cities grow together.

What is a megalopolis?

A very large urban region formed when several conurbations merge.

What is a linear settlement?

A settlement that develops along a road, railway, river or coastline.

What is a crossroads settlement?

A settlement that develops where two or more roads intersect.

What is a dispersed settlement?

A settlement where buildings are spread far apart.

What is a nucleated settlement?

A settlement where buildings are closely grouped together.

What is the main cause of rural depopulation?

Rural–urban migration.

Why is rural–urban migration an important issue in South Africa?

It contributes to rural decline while placing pressure on urban infrastructure, housing and services.

Which economic sector dominates rural settlements?

Primary activities (especially agriculture).

Which economic sectors dominate urban settlements?

Secondary and tertiary activities.

Distinguish between rural–urban migration and rural depopulation.

Rural–urban migration is the movement of people from rural to urban areas. Rural depopulation is the decrease in the rural population, mainly caused by rural–urban migration.

Why are rural–urban migration and rural depopulation closely linked?

As people migrate from rural areas to urban areas, the rural population decreases.

Which age group usually migrates from rural areas?

Mainly young, economically active adults.

Which groups are often left behind in rural areas?

Older people, women and children.

Which economic activities usually attract migrants to urban areas?

Industrial, commercial and service-sector jobs.

Which concept describes the fair distribution of land and resources?

Social justice.

Which four major topics are examined under Rural Settlement Issues in the IEB SAGs?

Rural–urban migration, Causes and consequences of rural depopulation, Strategies to address rural depopulation (including case studies), Social justice issues, including access to resources and land reform.

Define rural–urban migration.

The movement of people from rural areas to urban areas.

What are push factors?

Factors that force people to leave rural areas.

What are pull factors?

Factors that attract people to urban areas.

Why does mechanisation cause rural–urban migration?

Machines replace farm workers, causing unemployment and forcing people to move to cities.

Why do low salaries encourage migration?

People move to urban areas in search of higher-paying jobs.

Why does unemployment encourage migration?

There are too few employment opportunities in rural areas.

Why does drought encourage migration?

Drought reduces agricultural production and causes loss of income.

How do floods and natural disasters encourage migration?

They damage crops, homes and infrastructure, forcing people to relocate.

Why does poor soil fertility cause migration?

Poor soils reduce crop yields and farm income.

Why does poverty encourage migration?

People move to improve their standard of living.

Why does starvation and malnutrition cause migration?

Food shortages force people to seek better living conditions elsewhere.

Why does lack of land ownership encourage migration?

People cannot farm or earn a stable income without access to land.

Why does lack of capital encourage migration?

Farmers cannot afford machinery, fertilisers or improvements needed to remain productive.

Why does lack of investment encourage migration?

Few businesses are created, resulting in limited employment opportunities.

Why does poor housing encourage migration?

People seek better quality housing in urban areas.

Why does lack of healthcare encourage migration?

Limited clinics and doctors reduce access to medical care.

Why does lack of education encourage migration?

Limited schools, colleges and universities reduce educational opportunities.

Why does poor transport encourage migration?

Poor roads and transport links make access to jobs and services difficult.

Why does lack of basic services encourage migration?

Limited access to water, electricity, sanitation and communication lowers quality of life.

Why does an unfavourable image of rural areas encourage migration?

People believe urban areas offer better opportunities.

Why do safety and security problems encourage migration?

Crime and insecurity cause people to leave rural communities.

Why do employment opportunities attract migrants?

Cities offer a wider variety of jobs.

Why do higher wages attract migrants?

Urban jobs generally pay better than rural jobs.

Why does better healthcare attract migrants?

Cities have hospitals, specialists and improved medical facilities.

Why do educational opportunities attract migrants?

Cities have more schools, colleges and universities.

Why do better services attract migrants?

Urban areas have reliable electricity, sanitation, water supply and communication.

Why do entertainment and recreation attract migrants?

Cities provide more leisure facilities and social opportunities.

Why does improved transport attract migrants?

Urban transport networks make travelling easier.

Why does a better quality of life attract migrants?

People believe cities provide better living conditions.

Why do employment opportunities for children attract migrants?

Parents hope their children will have improved futures.

Why does food security attract migrants?

Urban areas usually have a more reliable supply of food.

Define rural depopulation.

The decrease in the number of people living in rural areas.

What is the main cause of rural depopulation?

Rural–urban migration.

Besides rural–urban migration, what else can cause rural depopulation?

Death, emigration and general migration to other areas.

Which age group usually leaves rural areas first?

Young economically active adults.

Which groups are commonly left behind?

Older people, women and children.

What is meant by an ageing rural population?

A larger proportion of elderly people remain because younger adults have migrated.

What is a brain drain?

The loss of skilled, educated or productive people from rural areas.

Why is rural depopulation considered a cycle?

As people leave, services decline, making rural areas less attractive and causing even more people to leave.

What happens to the age structure of rural areas when people migrate?

An ageing population develops because mainly young, economically active people leave.

Why are women and children often left behind?

Young men frequently migrate to urban areas in search of employment.

What happens to the rural labour force?

The labour force decreases as economically active people leave.

How does rural depopulation affect productivity?

Agricultural production decreases because fewer workers remain.

How does brain drain affect rural communities?

There are fewer skilled workers available to develop the local economy and improve services.

How does rural depopulation affect poverty?

Poverty increases because there are fewer employment opportunities and less economic activity.

How does rural depopulation affect the quality of life?

The quality of life declines as services become limited and economic opportunities decrease.

Why does the cycle of poverty continue in rural areas?

Limited jobs and services reduce income, making it difficult for communities to improve living conditions.

Why do schools close during rural depopulation?

There are too few learners to keep schools open.

Why do shops close?

There are fewer customers and reduced spending.

Why do banks and post offices close?

There are too few people to support these services economically.

What happens to healthcare services?

Healthcare services decline because there are fewer people and less investment.

What happens to tertiary services?

Tertiary services become limited or fall below acceptable standards.

What happens to property values?

Property values decrease because demand for land and housing falls.

What happens to investment in rural areas?

Investment decreases because businesses see little opportunity for profit.

What is a ghost settlement (ghost town)?

A settlement where most businesses have closed and very few people remain.

How do ghost settlements develop?

Businesses close, people move away and economic activity declines.

What happens to resources during rural depopulation?

Resources become under-utilised because fewer people are available to use or develop them.

How does rural depopulation affect GDP?

Reduced agricultural production can lower the contribution of rural areas to the economy.

Explain the cycle of rural decline.

People leave → businesses close → services decline → unemployment increases → more people leave.

How does rural–urban migration affect housing in cities?

It increases the growth of informal settlements.

Why do informal settlements develop?

Cities cannot provide enough formal housing for the growing population.

How does rural–urban migration affect unemployment in cities?

Urban unemployment increases because job creation cannot keep up with population growth.

How does rural–urban migration affect crime?

Crime may increase because of unemployment and poverty.

How does rural–urban migration affect traffic?

Traffic congestion increases.

How does rural–urban migration affect service delivery?

Existing services become overloaded.