Geography

Geography

1. Settlement change

   • Changing function over time.
     • Aberfan, Wales
       • Started of as agricultural village
         • Coal was found in the valley and the Merthyr Vale coal mine was opened in 1875. It then became an industrial Settlement
           • 1989 the coal mine was closed and so the function of the village changed again. It became a RESIDENTIAL SETTLEMENT
             • It is still a RESIDENTIAL SETTLEMENT to this day. It is a COMMUTER VILLAGE with the people who live their working in local town and cities such as Merthyr Tydfil. It is also a RETIREMENT SETTLEMENT and it is 60+year olds live there
   • Changes to Rural Communities; Causes of counter-urbanisation
     • 1. Urban areas have more pollution, crime and traffic
       • 2. Increase in car ownership and an improvement in road networks-people can now live further from where they work
         • 3. Improvements in technology (e.g. Use of internet, e-mails, video conferencing) mean more people can work from home
           • 4. Ageing population - retired people often move to the countryside for a more relaxed life
             • 5. Modern business parks often located on the edge of cities and so people can live in rural areas close by
     • Changes to Rural Communities Impacts of counter-urbanisation
       • (+) Local schools have seen an increase in the number of pupils and so are able to stay open. The primary school in Austrey now has 120 students- it used to have just 16 in 1961
         • (+) Some local services have benefitted from extra business. For example, local pubs and local tradesmen(' The bird in Hand' pub in Austrey)
           • (+) Old derelict farm buildings are turned into houses/apartments. They improve the look of the area (add to the aethetics value of the area). This improved the well-being of the community