GEOG 101: INTRUDUCTION TO HUMAN GEOGRAPHY

(HUMAN SETTLEMENTS)

Introduction

A human settlement refers to a community of people living in a specific location, characterized

by a shared sense of place, social organization, and infrastructure. In other word, it is defined

as a distinct unit created by human beings for the purpose of residence, safety and protection,

resource utilization and other socioeconomic activities. These settlements can range in size

from small rural villages to large urban cities and can be permanent or temporary in nature.

They are often defined by their physical and social boundaries, including natural features,

transportation networks, and political or administrative divisions.

Human settlements have a long history, dating back to the earliest days of human civilization.

The process of human settlement has been shaped by a variety of factors, including climate,

topography, resources, and technological advancements. Over time, human settlements have

grown in size and complexity, from small nomadic groups to the large and complex cities of

today.

The study of human settlements is important for understanding the dynamics of population

growth and urbanization, as well as the challenges of sustainable development. It also provides

insight into the social and cultural characteristics of different communities and the ways in

which they have adapted to changing conditions over time.

Evolution of Human Settlements

The evolution of human settlements is a complex and ongoing process that has been shaped by

a variety of factors throughout history. The earliest known human settlements date back to

around 10,000 BCE, in what is now the Middle East. These early settlements were focused on

agriculture and the domestication of animals, and were typically small in size. The emergence
of agriculture and the domestication of animals around 10,000 BCE, allowed the formation of

permanent settlements. This was a significant development in human history, as it meant that

people no longer had to move in search of food and resources. These early settlements were

small and relatively simple, but they laid the foundation for the development of more complex

societies.

The rise of civilization marked a significant shift in the evolution of human settlements. Cities

began to emerge as centres of trade, industry, and culture, and the urban population began to

grow rapidly. Writing, mathematics, and other forms of advanced technology also played a

major role in the growth of these early cities. The earliest known cities, such as Uruk, Ur and

Eridu, emerged in Mesopotamia around 4,000 BCE. The Bronze and Iron Ages also saw the

development of larger and more complex settlements. The rise of powerful empires such as the

Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans led to the construction of monumental buildings, impressive

public works, and the development of sophisticated forms of governance and administration.

The Industrial Revolution of the 18th and 19th centuries marked another major shift in the

evolution of human settlements. The growth of industry and the rise of the factory system led

to the rapid expansion of urban areas, and the population of cities began to grow even more

rapidly. This period also saw the emergence of new forms of housing, transportation, and

infrastructure, such as tenements, trains, and sewage systems.

The 20th century saw continued urbanization, with the majority of the world's population now

living in urban areas. The growth of cities and urban areas has led to many challenges, including

pollution, overcrowding, and the loss of natural habitats. The concept of sustainable

development has been introduced as a way to address these challenges, with the goal of

balancing economic growth, social well-being, and environmental protection.

been shaped by a variety of factors throughout history. From small, nomadic groups to the

large, complex cities of today, human settlements have continually evolved and adapted to

changing conditions and technological advancements. Today, the challenges of sustainable

development are becoming increasingly pressing, and understanding the history and dynamics

of human settlement is essential for addressing these challenges and shaping the future of our

planet and its inhabitants.

Types of human settlements

Human settlements can be categorised into two major types; urban and rural settlements.

However, human settlements can be further categorized into different types based on one or

more distinctive characteristics.

Types of human settlements based on settlement pattern (nature of distribution). These include;

Nucleated settlements are characterized by a central core or nucleus, often containing a market

or central square, surrounded by buildings and other structures. Examples include cities and

towns.

Linear settlements are characterized by a linear arrangement of buildings, often along a road

or transportation corridor. Examples include ribbon developments and strip settlements.

Dispersed settlements are characterized by a scattered or dispersed pattern of individual

buildings or small groups of buildings, with little or no centralization. Examples include rural

villages and farmsteads.

Cluster settlements are characterized by a group or cluster of buildings, often with a central

open space or common area. Examples include planned communities and gated communities.
Peri-urban settlements are characterized by a mixture of urban and rural characteristics, often

found on the outskirts of cities and towns. These settlements are also known as urban fringe or

metropolitan fringe settlements.

It is important to note that these types of settlements are not mutually exclusive and many

settlements may exhibit characteristics of more than one type. Additionally, settlements can

also change over time, evolving from one type to another.

Classification of settlements by types, size and function

Settlements can be classified in different ways based on their types, size, and function.

Classification by types:

Rural settlements: These are settlements located in rural areas, typically characterized by a low

population density and a focus on agriculture and other rural activities.

Urban settlements: These are settlements located in urban areas, typically characterized by a

high population density and a focus on industry, commerce, and other urban activities.

Suburban settlements: These are settlements located on the outskirts of urban areas, typically

characterized by a mix of urban and rural features.

Megacities: These are extremely large urban settlements with a population of over 10 million

people.

Slum settlements: These are informal settlements found in urban areas, characterized by

overcrowding, poor living conditions, and a lack of basic services.

Nomadic settlements: These are settlements of people who move from place to place, typically

in search of food and other resources.

as for a construction project or a refugee camp.

Floating settlements: These are settlements located on water, such as on boats or floating

platforms.

Classification by size:

Farmstead: These are isolated one-family dwellings owned by farming families. Such

settlements are scattered randomly over the landscape. Isolated houses for farmstead are

common in UK and USA.

Dispersed settlements: These are houses scattered over land and comprises of many family

houses.

Hamlet: This is a small rural settlement with a group of houses occupied by a population of

less than 100 people that are engaged in primary occupations.

Village: This entails a settlement with a population of between 100 and 1000 people, larger

than hamlet with a number of families. Most villages engage in primary activities like farming,

fishing and mining among others. Some villages have functional socioeconomic characteristics

like postal services, dispensaries, periodic markets and primary schools among others.

Town: A larger settlement with thousands of both heterogeneous and homogeneous families

and a population of between 1000 and 50,000 people. The inhabitants of towns usually engage

in secondary and tertiary activities. They provide professional services to people from villages

around them.

City: A city is a settlement larger than town with a population of over 50,000 people. There is

no universally accepted definition of city, however, city is urban centres characterised by

specialised activities.
Metropolis: A very large settlement with a population of over one million people which

contains cities grown extensively to cover nearby towns. It is usually the capital or major city

in a region.

Conurbation: This is a settlement larger than metropolis

Megalopolis: This is the highest order of settlement formed as a result of joining of many cities

and conurbations.

Classification by function:

Residential settlements: These settlements are primarily focused on providing housing for

people.

Commercial settlements: These settlements are primarily focused on providing goods and

services to people.

Industrial settlements: These settlements are primarily focused on manufacturing and

processing goods.

Administrative settlements: These settlements are primarily focused on providing government

services and administration.

Recreational settlements: These settlements are primarily focused on providing leisure and

recreational activities for people.

It's important to note that settlements can have multiple functions, and it's not always easy to

classify them into one specific category. Also, settlements can change over time, for example,

a rural settlement can become a suburban one, or a small town can grow into a city.
Interrelationship between urban and rural settlements

The relationship between rural and urban settlements is complex and multifaceted. There are

many interdependencies between these two types of settlements, and the relationship between

them can have a significant impact on the social, economic, and environmental well-being of

both rural and urban communities.

One of the main interdependencies between rural and urban settlements is the economic

relationship. Rural settlements are often dependent on urban areas for employment, services,

education, information, medical care, administration, diffusion of innovation, finished goods

and markets for their agricultural products. Urban areas, in turn, are dependent on rural areas

for food, raw materials, unskilled labour, medicinal herbs, resort function, market for finished

industrial goods and repository of cultural heritage. This relationship is often referred to as

"urban-rural linkages."

Another important interdependency between rural and urban settlements is the demographic

relationship. Urban areas are often characterized by high levels of population growth and

immigration, while rural areas are characterized by lower levels of population growth and

emigration. This can lead to a concentration of population in urban areas and a decline in

population in rural areas, which can have a significant impact on the social and economic well-

being of both rural and urban communities.

The environmental relationship is also crucial, as urban areas often have a significant impact

on the surrounding rural areas. Urbanization can lead to deforestation, pollution, and the loss

of natural habitats. This can have a negative impact on the environment, as well as on the

livelihoods of rural communities that depend on these resources.

In conclusion, the relationship between rural and urban settlements is complex and

multifaceted. There are many interdependencies between these two types of settlements, and
the relationship between them can have a significant impact on the social, economic, and

environmental well-being of both rural and urban communities. It's important to understand

these relationships and to develop policies and strategies that promote the sustainable

development of both rural and urban areas.

Factors influencing the growth of settlements

The growth of human settlements is influenced by a variety of factors, including physical,

economic, social, and political factors. These factors can act together to influence the location,

size, and development of settlements.

Physical factors include the availability of natural resources, climate, topography, and natural

hazards. The availability of resources such as water, fertile land, and minerals can influence

the location and development of settlements. For example, settlements are more likely to

develop near sources of water, and areas with fertile land are more likely to be used for

agriculture. The climate and topography of an area can also influence the development of

settlements. For example, settlements are more likely to develop in areas with a moderate

climate and good drainage. Natural hazards, such as floods and earthquakes, can also influence

the development of settlements, as they can make certain areas uninhabitable.

Economic factors include access to markets, transportation, and job opportunities. The

availability of markets and transportation can influence the location and growth of settlements.

For example, settlements are more likely to develop near transportation corridors, such as roads

and rivers, which provide access to markets and other resources. Job opportunities can also

influence the growth of settlements, as people are more likely to settle in areas where there are

job opportunities available.

Social factors include population growth, migration, and cultural preferences. Population

growth can influence the growth of settlements, as an increasing population leads to the need
for more housing, services, and infrastructure. Migration can also influence the growth of

settlements, as people often move to areas where there are job opportunities or other resources

available. Cultural preferences can also influence the growth of settlements, as people often

settle in areas where their culture and customs are accepted and practiced.

Political factors include government policies, laws, and regulations. Government policies can

influence the growth of settlements through their impact on the availability of resources and

job opportunities. Laws and regulations can also influence the growth of settlements, as they

can shape the development of infrastructure and housing, and protect natural resources and

cultural heritage.

In conclusion, the growth of human settlements is influenced by a variety of factors, including

physical, economic, social, and political factors. These factors can act together to influence the

location, size, and development of settlements. Understanding these factors is important for

addressing the challenges of sustainable development and improving the well-being of people

in settlements.