Urban Settlement Notes

Settlements are areas of human habitation and organization, including urban and rural areas and landscapes with various structures and open spaces.
Settlement characteristics vary in size and permanence.
Site refers to the actual location of a settlement and its physical characteristics like landforms, climate, vegetation, water availability, and soil quality.
Situation is the location relative to its surroundings, considering accessibility and proximity to markets.

Settlement shapes interact with the landscape, forming patterns like linear, rectangular, circular, crossed, and T-shaped.
Survey methods include metes and bounds (using geographic features), long lots (narrow parcels with transport access), and township and range (using longitude and latitude).

Settlements include economic activities, population size and diversity, social services, political organization, employment structure, and services.

Water Supply: Essential for year-round activity; settlements develop near reliable water sources.
Building Supplies: Settlements built close to stone, wood, or clay sources due to transport limitations.
Food Supply: Ideal locations support both animal rearing and crop growing, influenced by climate and soil.
Relief: Flat, low-lying land is preferred for easier construction and accessibility.

An urban area surrounds a city with mostly nonagricultural jobs and high-density structures.
Includes towns, cities, and suburbs.

Key terms: Settlement, Situation, Resort, Rural, Location, Retailing, Urban, Function, CBD, Town, Classification, Conurbation, Site, Colonial, Region, Cities, Central place, Megapolises, International, Hinterland, Landscape.