New Settlement Patterns in the Dutch Polders

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Netherlands - world's most densely populated country

Polders - land reclaimed from the sea

Polders are surrounded by walls called dykes and are constantly being drained by drainage ditches and canals

Dutch government can lay out settlement in the best possible planned way.

New settlement patterns created, not found in other parts of Europe

rectangular-shaped farms

straight roads

linear pattern along roads

small clusters of 3/4 so people could live close to neighbours

Largest town, Emmeloord, situated in centre/hub. Wide variety of services for surrounding area e.g. hospital services

Ring of villages built along edge of polder - approximate circle around Emmeloord. These provide small shops and everyday services

Circular road connects villages

'Radial' roads connect villages to Emmeloord

HOW SETTLEMENT IN THE NORTH-EAST POLDER IS ARRANGED DIFFERENTLY FROM THAT IN IRELAND

In The Polder

Individual farmhouses form planned linear patterns along roads

Villages are arranged in a circle around a large town

Ring roads join villages arranged in a circle and 'radial' roads connect individual villages with a larger central town

In Ireland

Individual farmhouses are scattered throughout the countryside

Villages often develop at bridging points of rivers

Roads often follow river valleys or join at bridging points of rivers

Polders

Planned Rural Settlement Pattern

Planned Urban Pattern - The 'Cartwheel'

How Settlement Differs