Settlement Change Flashcards
What are the different functions of a settlement?
Residential - a place to live
Administrative - employ large numbers of ciil servants and are centres of local government
Strategic - used physical geography to have an advantage in defense
Tourist resorts
Market Centres - to provide services for the local area
Industrial - provide jobs (secondary industry)
How the functions of a settlement change over time?
Aberfan in South Wales, used to be an agricultural settlement by the River Taff, in 1875 Merthyr Vale coal mine was opened and it became an industrial settlement. Then in 1989 the coal mine was closed and it became a residential settlement with an elderly population and commuters.
What are the changes in rural areas due to counter urbanisation?
Environmental - many still work in urban areas causing pollution, villages are empty during the day, old derelict buildings become housing improving aesthetics.
Social - traditions may not be valued by newcomers, local schools have increased pupils and can afford to stay open
Economic - House prices rise as demand those, local people may not afford to stay, migrants do not support local businesses, local services are supported e.g. public houses
Demographic - general more affluent families moving in
What is an example of counter urbanisation?
Austrey in Warwickshire had a growth of population from 300 in 1961 to 1000 in 2001
Environment changed as new housing estates were built (St Nicholas Close), and what used to be 18 farms is now 2, with farmhouses converted into residential
The village school opened on a new site with 120 children instead of 16 in 1961
The village pub ‘The bird in hand’ is thriving
What are the changes in rural areas due to depopulation?
Demographic - most young adults leave
Economic - Older population so less money going into the council and so public services
Environmental - unappealing derelict buildings, more wildlife with decreased population
Social - lower population means less services, in Cornwall and Devon over 20% of post offices are closing, local schools suffer
What are the social reasons for an increase in the demand for housing?
people are marrying later so there are more living on their own (the average age has gone up to 30)
rise in the number of divorces so families live in 2 dwellings
many live on their own until their 80s
What are the economic reasons for an increase in the demand for housing?
the population is wealthier and young people can afford their own homes rather than staying with their parents
What are the political reasons for the increase in the demand for housing?
the population is increasing and is predicted to rise by 4.1 m between 2001 and 2021
government promised 3m homes to be built by 2020
large influx of immigrants (EU) due to relaxation at borders
What are the consequences of the need for more housing and industriliasation?
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What is urban sprawl?
Development of rural areas on the edges
of towns and cities or similar
What are the advantages and disadvantages of greenfield sites?
land that has not been used before
cheaper land, lower construction costs (nothing to knock down), easy to market (pleasant environment)
infrastructure (gas, water) won’t be present, difficult planning permission, disturb nature
What are the advantages and disadvantages of brownfield sites?
land that has been previously developed on and has been abandoned
planning permission is easy, infrastructure available, normally close to urban areas and facilities making it attractive
environmental survey due to past usage is costly and time consuming, close to city so more expensive land, sometimes decontamination needs to happened (costly)
What are the consequences of deindustrialisation, including the redevelopment and renewal of derelict and brownfield sites?
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What are the attitudes of the central and local government to development?
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What are the reasons for rapid growth in urban areas in LICs with examples?
Migration - lack of jobs and low salaries in rural areas (mechanisation), the perception of a better life (education), development of TNCs and other industries in urban areas
Natural Increase - lack of contraception and knowledge, many young (family) age migrants, higher life expectancy, better medical facilities and lower infant mortality in urban areas
