Human settlements encompass all forms of residential clusters, ranging from villages to cities, reflecting the interaction between humans and their environment. The settlement types may evolve or change, but they exist over time and space. While some settlements are temporary, others last for extended periods, adapting to environmental and socio-economic changes.
Learning Outcomes
- Understand the distinction between rural and urban settlements.
- Identify the factors influencing settlement patterns.
- Analyze the problems faced by rural and urban settlements.
Settlements are often classified into rural and urban categories, although there is no universal definition.
1. Population Size:
In densely populated countries like India and China, villages may exceed the population size of some Western towns. In contrast, rural settlements in developed countries like the USA or Europe can be smaller, with people working in cities but living in villages.
2. Primary Occupations:
In villages, people typically engage in agriculture, fishing, and animal husbandry, while towns focus on secondary and tertiary activities like manufacturing and services.
3. Suburbanization:
Suburbanization is the trend of moving away from congested urban areas to suburban regions for a better quality of life. Suburbs develop outside major cities, with daily commuting between homes and workplaces.
1. Compact or Nucleated Settlements:
Settlements with houses built close together, often found in fertile plains and river valleys, where people share common occupations.
2. Dispersed Settlements:
In these settlements, houses are spread out, often with fields in between, linked by cultural or communal activities like worship or market centers.
3. Rural Settlements:
Rural settlements, often located near water bodies or fertile land, engage primarily in agriculture. They are usually small and face challenges like access to water, building materials, and defense.
1. Water Supply:
Settlements near rivers or lakes benefit from a steady water supply for drinking, cooking, and irrigation. In some regions, settlements arise even in disadvantaged sites due to the availability of water.
2. Land Fertility:
Early settlers chose fertile lands, avoiding swamps or low-lying regions. In Southeast Asia, low river valleys suitable for rice cultivation were often chosen, while European villages developed on rolling lands.
3. Upland Locations:
Settlements in tropical areas are often built on stilts to avoid flooding and protect from pests. In India, many forts and defensive structures are located on high ground.
Rural settlements vary in their shapes and forms, influenced by the topography and functions of the region.
1. Linear Settlements:
Houses arranged along a road, railway, or river are characteristic of linear settlements.
2. Rectangular Settlements:
Common in plains or valleys, these settlements have roads that intersect at right angles.
3. Circular Settlements:
Villages may develop in a circular pattern around lakes or tanks, often leaving the central part open for animals.
4. Star-shaped Settlements:
Where multiple roads converge, settlements grow along the roads, forming a star-like shape.
Important Note
Linear and Circular patterns of settlement are influenced by geography, proximity to resources, and the needs of the community.
1. Water Supply:
Water shortages are common, particularly in mountainous or arid areas. People may walk long distances to fetch water, leading to diseases like cholera and jaundice.
2. Infrastructure Deficiency:
Rural settlements often lack toilets, garbage disposal, and proper ventilation in homes, leading to health issues. Roads are frequently unmetalled, cutting off access during the rainy season and making it difficult to provide emergency services.
3. Housing and Building Materials:
Houses built with materials like mud, wood, and thatch are vulnerable to floods and require regular maintenance. Poor ventilation and proximity to animal sheds further compound health risks.
The growth of urban settlements has been rapid, especially since the Industrial Revolution. By 1982, 175 cities had populations exceeding one million. Today, over 54% of the global population resides in urban areas, a significant increase from 3% in 1800.
Urban settlements vary in size, population, and functions.
1. Population Size:
The population threshold for a city to be considered urban varies by country. In India, a population of 5,000 is considered urban, while Colombia and Denmark classify areas with fewer people as urban.
2. Occupational Structure:
Cities are distinguished by the percentage of their workforce engaged in non-agricultural activities. In India, at least 75% of the workforce must be involved in non-agricultural work for the area to be classified as urban.
Urban centres historically served as hubs for trade, administration, industry, and religious activities. Today, new functions like recreational, residential, transportation, and information technology play vital roles.
1. Administrative Towns:
Capitals like New Delhi, Washington D.C., and Beijing house administrative offices.
2. Trading and Commercial Towns:
Cities like Manchester, Lahore, and Amsterdam serve as key commercial hubs.
3. Cultural Towns:
Varanasi, Jerusalem, and Mecca hold cultural and religious significance.
Important Note
Urban functions have evolved, and today, cities like Sheffield have shifted from fishing ports to tourism hubs, highlighting the dynamic nature of urban development.
Urban settlements can be linear, square, star, or crescent-shaped, influenced by historical and cultural traditions. Planned cities like Chandigarh and Canberra contrast with historically evolved cities in developing countries.
Addis Ababa: Established in 1878, it grew rapidly due to its multifunctional role and nodal location in Ethiopia.
Canberra: Planned by Walter Burley Griffin in 1912, it is known for its open spaces, satellite towns, and garden-city concept.
Urban settlements, particularly in developing countries, face severe challenges.
1. Housing and Slums:
Unplanned growth leads to housing shortages and slum development. In India, one in four city inhabitants lives in informal settlements.
2. Economic Problems:
Migration to cities strains the job market, leading to unemployment, especially among unskilled labor.
3. Socio-cultural Issues:
Insufficient social infrastructure results in poor health and education services, contributing to crime and social unrest.
4. Environmental Issues:
Waste management, water supply, and air pollution pose significant threats. Industrial and domestic waste often goes untreated, exacerbating pollution levels.
To improve urban living conditions, cities must focus on providing basic services like education, sanitation, and healthcare. Urban strategies should prioritize community involvement, pollution control, and improving infrastructure for the urban poor.
Concept Note
Healthy cities prioritize clean environments, accessible healthcare, and community participation in governance.
Rural and urban areas are interconnected through the movement of people, goods, and services. Addressing rural poverty and improving living standards in villages can help alleviate pressure on urban infrastructure. Sustainable development hinges on balancing the needs of both rural and urban populations.
Multiple Choice Question
Which of the following patterns of settlement develops around lakes or tanks?
a) Circular
b) Linear
c) Cross-shaped
Answer: a) Circular