Question

E Answer the questions in about 80–100 words
1 Describe the different patterns of rural settlements.
2 Account for the physical factors that influence a settlement.
3. How rural and urban settlements depend upon each other?
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Answer 1

Answer:

1. Patterns:

Pattern of settlement is defined as the relationship between one house or building to another. It can be identified by reading and observing a local scale map. The patterns of settlement deals with compact and semi-compact only, as dispersed has its own shape. The socio cultural factors like caste structure or a func­tional need of people has a close bearing on its shape and size.

The rural settlements are classified under following patterns: Rectangular, Linear, Circular, Semi-circu­lar, Star-like, Triangular, and Nebular Pattern. The settlements is linear in valleys and mountainous ar­eas, rectangular in fertile plains, circular near the lakes and ponds, triangular at cross roads and in excep­tional cases it resembles the nebular form and on river terraces it is star-type.

2. There are many factors that can influence where settlements locate within a region.  The site of a settlement is the actual land that the settlements is built upon.  The situation is the location of a settlement in relation  to the things that are around it.

Physical factors that influence the location of a settlement include;

• Water supply – settlements need water, they often locate on wet point sites for this. Settlements built away from rivers and water supplies to avoid flooding are located at dry point sites.
• Defence – building on high ground allowed people the chance to look out for enemies (e.g. Edinburgh castle) while surrounding a settlement with water also helped with deed defence e.g. Durham is built inside a meander.
• Aspect and shelter – In the northern hemisphere south facing slopes receive more sunlight and are protected from cold Northerly winds.  More settlements and agricultural land is therefore located on South facing slopes.

3. Rural and urban settlements are interdependent by :

-Economic activities of rural agriculture,livestock,fishing serve as the raw materials for vast segments of industries established in urban areas.

-development in urban areas in terms of better roads,railways has helped in connecting many rural areas with urban areas.

-migration of people from rural side to urban side has provided man power for urban industries.

-agricultural activities in rural establishments has ensured food security throughout.