4A.2 Changing Functions and Characteristics

Question 1

4A.2a Changing functions and characteristics

functions

Answer 1

Functions are the roles a place plays for its community and surroundings. Some, usually larger places, offer regional, national or even global functions. Functions may grow, disappear and change over time. There is a hierarchy according to size and number of functions.

1. Administrative: council offices, schools and other public services like clinics and hospitals.

2 Commercial: offices of service industries such as legal services, accountants.

3 Retail: shops that range in size from small to malls.

4 Industrial: factories, warehouses and distribution centres.

Question 2

4A.2a Changing functions and characteristics

characteristics

Answer 2

Characteristics are the physical and human aspects that help distinguish one place from another: location, natural features, layout, land use, architecture and cultural traits.

Question 3

4A.2a Changing functions and characteristics

high-order/ low-order functions

Answer 3

High-order functions are specialised functions located in larger settlements. For example: banks, department stores, council offers, doctors surgeries.

Low-order functions are more ubiquitous functions located in smaller villages. For example: grocery stores, post boxes, pubs.

Question 4

4A.2a Changing functions and characteristics

demographic structure

Answer 4

The demographic structure of places may change by age, gender and socio-economic status. When places experience lower income groups moving in, such as lower-paid immigrants and students, it changes by the ‘filtering down’ process. The opposite is ‘filtering up’, where more affluent people take over an originally lower-income place.