SETTLEMENTS
Settlement: A place where people live. A settlement can range from an isolated building to a
capital city of over 20 million people (eg Mexico City) Harare is also a city. (→ research what
is Harare’s current population). Settlements are grouped according to their location (site and
situation), shape (pattern), major use (function), position (rank) and as a service centre
(hierarchy).
A settlement may be permanent or temporary. An example of a temporary settlement is
a refugee camp. However, a temporary settlement may become permanent over time. This has
happened to many refugee camps that have been built in conflict zones and the Rochina, the
largest favela in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
There are many different types of settlement, but these can roughly be divided into rural and
urban settlements.
Rural Settlements: Settlements that are found in the countryside (rural areas) and contain less
than 10 000 residents. Rural areas have a small number of buildings with a strong agricultural
function or a dormitory function (This is where workers stay in a village but work in a nearby
town –they commute). Population density is low, and the community is close, it offers a small
number of services.
Urban Settlements: Settlements that contain more than 10 000 residents in developed
countries. Urban areas in Less Economically Developed Countries (LEDCs) tend to have
smaller populations as compared to those found in More Economically Developed Countries
(MEDCs). Urban refers to towns and cities. It is a continuous built-up area with industry and
commerce, has a high population density. The residents are more of acquaintances rather than
friends and provides many services.
Characteristics of Rural and Urban Settlements
Rural settlement Urban settlement
1.Settlement patterns in rural areas are linear 1. Mainly linear along roads.
nucleated and dispersed.
2. Pattern is largely influenced by the physical 2. Mainly influenced by cost of land economic
geography of the area local culture /traditions reasons as well as physical planning laws.
and needs of farmers. These settlements are
chiefly concerned with primary activities such
as agriculture, mining, fishing and forestry.
3. Most of the people of rural settlements are 3.These types of settlement are nodal in
engaged in agricultural work. character and have secondary and tertiary
activities.
4. The major function of rural settlement is
agriculture, and each settlement specialises in 4. The chief occupation of the people of urban
various activities such as fishing in MEDCs. areas is non-agricultural, that is industry, trade,
Facilities available in the villages of developed and services.
countries may be considered rare in villages of
developing and less developed countries).
5. The major functions of an urban area are trade
5. Population density is low, and the settlement
and commerce, transport and communication,
size is small.
mining and manufacturing defence,
administration, cultural and recreational
activities.
6. Population density is high, and the settlement
size is large.
