Settlement Characteristics These icons indicate that teacher s notes

Settlement Characteristics These icons indicate that teacher’s notes or useful web addresses are available in the Notes Page. This icon indicates that the slide contains activities created in Flash. These activities are not editable. For more detailed instructions, see the Getting Started presentation. 1 of 34 © Boardworks Ltd 2005

How can we describe settlements? area shape 2 of 34 site situation population function © Boardworks Ltd 2005

Learning objectives What is a site? What are site factors? What is situation? How can the shape of a settlement be classified? What is the function of a settlement? 3 of 34 © Boardworks Ltd 2005

Where were settlements built and why? Site: describes the actual land upon which a settlement is built. Physical factors were most important in the initial choice of a site. fuel shelter water supply protection from the enemy fertile soil building materials Can you think of any more factors? 4 of 34 © Boardworks Ltd 2005

Learning objectives What is a site? What are site factors? What is situation? How can the shape of a settlement be classified? What is the function of a settlement? 5 of 34 © Boardworks Ltd 2005

Aspect and shelter Settlements were built in sheltered areas such as valleys or in bays on coastal locations. Aspect (the direction in which a settlement faces) was also an important consideration. Settlements would be more ideally located on south-facing slopes in the Northern Hemisphere and on north-facing slopes in the Southern Hemisphere. For example, in Britain, it was an advantage to be sheltered from cold winds blowing from the north, and to be facing south which meant more sunlight. settlements on south-facing slopes receive more heat and sunlight 6 of 34 N S sun is in the south Northern Hemisphere © Boardworks Ltd 2005

Aspect and shelter The town of Bradford-Upon-Avon in Wiltshire is located on a steep, south-facing slope. 7 of 34 © Boardworks Ltd 2005

Settlement sites Some settlement sites had specific advantages bridging point dry-point nodal point Where a river was shallow enough to be crossed (a ford) or narrow enough to easily build a bridge (e. g. Oxford). 8 of 34 In especially wet areas, settlements were built on slightly raised land to avoid flooding or the unhealthy marshland (e. g. Ely in Cambridgeshire). Where natural routes meet, such as several valleys (e. g. York) or at the confluence of two rivers (e. g. St Louis on the Mississippi). © Boardworks Ltd 2005

Settlement sites Some settlement sites had specific advantages. defensive In order to protect themselves from attack, settlements were built within a river meander, with the river giving protection on three sides, e. g. Shrewsbury, or on a hill with good views, e. g. Edinburgh. 9 of 34 wet-point These settlements were built at a source of water in an otherwise dry area. For example, in lowland Britain, many settlements were built at springs at the foot of chalk escarpments, e. g. Kemsingat near the North Downs. © Boardworks Ltd 2005

Sites for settlements 10 of 34 © Boardworks Ltd 2005

Which is the best site for a settlement? Imagine that you and your tribe have just arrived in this area. As the leader, you have to choose the best site for your village. How will you decide between sites A, B, C and D? 11 of 34 © Boardworks Ltd 2005

Which is the best site for a settlement? Write a paragraph to explain your choice of site. You should aim to refer to a wide range of factors. 12 of 34 © Boardworks Ltd 2005

How can you identify site factors using maps? Clues: the name of the settlement, relief, rivers etc. 13 of 34 © Boardworks Ltd 2005

The site of Guildford Draw an annotated sketch map of Guildford to identify its original site factors. Watch the animation first to help you! 14 of 34 © Boardworks Ltd 2005

The site of Guildford 15 of 34 © Boardworks Ltd 2005

How important are physical site factors today? Technology means that many site factors are no longer very critical in influencing the site of a settlement. For example, water is piped, road networks allow the delivery of food supplies via supermarkets, and computers and the internet provide communication. Political, social or economic factors are usually more important. In August 2004, the South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun announced that the capital was to relocate in order to ease overcrowding, redistribute the state’s wealth and lessen the danger of attack by North Korea. Seoul has been the capital since 1392. The new city will be located 100 miles to the south. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2007 and completed by 2030. The government estimates costs at 45 trillion won, or 40 billion US dollars. 16 of 34 © Boardworks Ltd 2005

Learning objectives What is a site? What are site factors? What is situation? How can the shape of a settlement be classified? What is the function of a settlement? 17 of 34 © Boardworks Ltd 2005

What is the situation of a settlement? Situation: describes where a settlement is located in relation to other surrounding features such as other settlements, rivers and communications. 18 of 34 © Boardworks Ltd 2005

The situation of Guildford Organise the following statements into a logical order. Then use them to write a paragraph describing the situation of Guildford. You may need an atlas to help! Now do the same for the settlement where you live! 19 of 34 © Boardworks Ltd 2005

Learning objectives What is a site? What are site factors? What is situation? How can the shape of a settlement be classified? What is the function of a settlement? 20 of 34 © Boardworks Ltd 2005

How is the shape of a settlement classified? Dispersed Nucleated or Compact Planned Linear or Street Ring or Green Cross 21 of 34 © Boardworks Ltd 2005

How is the shape of a settlement classified? Linear Cross 22 of 34 Planned Dispersed Ring Nucleated © Boardworks Ltd 2005

What is the shape of each settlement? 23 of 34 © Boardworks Ltd 2005

Test your knowledge 24 of 34 © Boardworks Ltd 2005

Learning objectives What is a site? What are site factors? What is situation? How can the shape of a settlement be classified? What is the function of a settlement? 25 of 34 © Boardworks Ltd 2005

What is the function of a settlement? The function of a settlement relates to its economic and social development and refers to its main activities. mining town market town tourist resort settlement functions 26 of 34 administration commercial cultural/religious port residential manufacturing route centre © Boardworks Ltd 2005

Types of function 27 of 34 © Boardworks Ltd 2005

Functions Every settlement has a residential function. Most settlements are multi-functional (have more than one function). In addition, most settlements have had a change in function from their original one. For example, Rhondda was originally a coal mining village but now has a tourist function (mining museum). 28 of 34 © Boardworks Ltd 2005

Guildford Study the next two slides showing photographs of Guildford and note the present day functions of this settlement. Is there any evidence of past functions? 29 of 34 © Boardworks Ltd 2005

The functions of Guildford 30 of 34 © Boardworks Ltd 2005

The functions of Guildford 31 of 34 © Boardworks Ltd 2005

The changing functions of Guildford 32 of 34 © Boardworks Ltd 2005

Settlement Functions 33 of 34 © Boardworks Ltd 2005

Key ideas Site describes the actual land upon which a settlement is built. Physical factors were most important in the initial choice of a site. Technology means that many site factors are no longer very critical in influencing the site of a settlement. Situation describes where a settlement is located in relation to other surrounding features such as other settlements, rivers and communications. Function relates to the economic and social development of a settlement and refers to its main activities. Most settlements are multi-functional. In addition, most settlements have had a change in function from their original one. 34 of 34 © Boardworks Ltd 2005