Urbanism

New words

  • rural settlements: small, isolated settlements, such as farms or villages

  • urban settlement: a built-up area with many functions and services such as a town or a city

Settlement purpose and development

  • People settle in a place for a reason: for example, there is water and fertile soil or because a valuable mineral has been found in the area

  • Most settlements start as small, rural settlements

  • Common initial activities for rural settlements: farming, mining, or fishing

  • With time, some rural settlements develop more functions (services and facilities)

  • Examples of added facilities in growing settlements: schools, hospitals, banks, and shops

  • A rural settlement may grow into an urban settlement with more people and many different services and functions

Urban settlements and land use

  • An urban settlement is a built-up area with many functions and services, such as a town or a city

  • Land-use zones: areas of land that have one main use or function, such as housing or industry

  • Key terms:

    • commercial: to do with trade or business

    • outlets: places that sell goods

Land use within urban settlements

  • Land in urban settlements is used in many different ways

  • There may be a central shopping, banking, and business area

  • There may be other areas where people live

  • There may also be industrial areas with factories and workshops

  • These land-use zones are usually in different parts of an urban settlement

Central Business District (CBD)

  • The CBD is the commercial and business centre of an urban area

  • It is often called the city or town centre

  • The CBD usually has tall office blocks along with shops, banks, restaurants, and fast-food outlets

  • Most people travel into the CBD for work, shopping, or business

Other notes on urban structure

  • The central area is effectively the middle or hub of the settlement (urban planning context)

  • Residential and industrial areas are typically located away from or around the CBD, depending on the city’s layout

  • In many urban areas there are distinct zones for:

    • housing (residential areas)

    • industry (industrial areas with factories and workshops)

    • commerce (CBD and other shopping/commercial zones)

Summary of key concepts

  • Rural settlements are the starting point for many towns and cities (often formed around resources like water, soil, or minerals)

  • Urban settlements are characterized by multiple land-use zones that support living, working, and services

  • The CBD serves as the primary commercial and business core of an urban area and concentrates high activity and connectivity

  • Land-use zones are spatially separated in most urban areas to optimize function and efficiency

Quick recap of terms from the transcript

  • rural settlements: small, isolated settlements such as farms or villages

  • urban settlement: built-up area with many functions and services (town or city)

  • land-use zones: areas with one main use or function (e.g., housing or industry)

  • commercial: related to trade or business

  • outlets: places that sell goods

  • Central Business District (CBD): commercial and business centre of an urban area; city/town centre; tall office blocks; shops, banks, restaurants, fast-food outlets

  • industrial areas: zones with factories and workshops

  • residential areas: zones where people live