Rural Settlement Flashcards
Rural settlements
Characterized by farms, traditional family units and small villages.
Found in the open countryside, often isolated and with a low population density.
Main economic activities are primary activities.
Examples of rural settlements
Isolated farm, hamlet, village, small market town
Size (how large or small the settlement is)
Smaller in population size and density
Complexity (how simple or intricate the settlement is)
Simple and the establishment of dwellings may be planned or at random.
Pattern (what form the arrangement of the settlement takes on)
Dwellings may be uncleared or dispersed.
The settlement pattern is often easy to identify as these settlements are smaller and less complex.
Some of the patterns include: round or ring patterns, linear or ribbon patterns, crops-road patterns and T-junction shaped patterns.
Function (relates to the economic and social development within the settlement and refers to the main purpose and activities)
uni-functional as their focus is on one economic activity.
Primary activities are the main economic activity supporting these settlements.
Primary activities include farming, fishing, forestry and mining.
Dispersed (isolated)
Farmsteads or buildings are well separated from each other.
Traditionally white-owned lands where a single farmhouse is surrounded by farmland and out-buildings.
Typical in rural areas (KwaZulu-Natal).
Flat land results in dwellings being more dispersed.
Dry-point settlements occur away from the water source and dwellings may be dispersed across the landscape.
Nucleated (clustered)
Buildings are close together.
Buildings may cluster around a central point, along a road or an intersection (cross-shaped or T-shaped)
The settlement may be nucleated due to other physical factors.
May be referred to as a compact village (dry-point, wet-point)
Land tenure systems may result in nucleated villages where communal land ownership occurs.
Dispersed settlements (isolated) advantages
Space for large housing estates or extensive farming.
The freedom to make own decisions.
Modern telecommunication systems allow people living in rural areas to remain in contact.
Quieter with less air pollution.
Dispersed settlements (isolated) disadvantages
Far from services and schools. Less social interaction.
Expensive transport, electricity and telecommunication services.
Safety becomes a concern ( in SA).
Nucleated settlements (clustered) advantages
Safety in numbers for defense and protection.
Social contact and community support.
Sharing of information and equipment.
Services that are more efficient as more people have access to these.
Resources may be divided and shared.
Transport and communication links are better.
Employment opportunities are more abundant.
Nucleated settlements (clustered) disadvantages
The lack of consideration for others(noisy).
Less space and privacy.
Sharing of equipment may result in damage.
More air and solid waste pollution.
