Urban Settlements

Origin and Development

• Urbanisation began with the Industrial Revolution
• Rural communities grew to form cities and urban centres
• Rapid expansion of towns and cities on a global scale

Key Concepts

• Urbanisation: Process of urban area growth in size and population
• Urban growth: Rate of urban population increase
• Urban expansion/sprawl: Unplanned spread into rural areas
• Rate of urbanisation: Speed of rural-to-urban migration
• Level of urbanisation: Degree ranging from hamlet to megalopolis
• Counter-urbanisation: Migration from urban to rural areas

Factors Affecting Urban Settlement Location

Physical factors:

• Availability of fresh water
• Underlying rock and soil structure
• Relief and drainage
• Aspect of slope

Social factors:

• Transport routes and nodal points