Settlement and Rural Environments

What the unit covers

This unit sits in the Population, Settlement and Cities strand of Geography. It mixes the core ideas of settlement with a long run of case studies. The ideas include site factors, function, hierarchy, rural settlement patterns, services and retailing. The case studies range from UK villages and new developments to cities abroad.

Where to start

Begin with the mind map Settlements, which explains what a settlement is and the main types. Then open Rural settlement patterns for linear, nucleated and dispersed shapes, spacing and the settlement hierarchy. The Settlement Hierarchy notes and the flashcard decks on site factors are good for fixing key terms.

Change in town and country

Once the basics feel familiar, move to change. The Counter-Urbanisation mind map sets out why people leave cities for the countryside. Settlement Change Case Studies and Examples looks at how places such as Aberfan changed function over time. For pressures on the countryside, try SECOND HOMES, The English Countryside, Remote rural Environments and the slide set on depopulation of remote rural areas.

Cities and sustainable living

For urban models and case studies, look at the BURGESS MODEL, London Docklands and Kibera, Nairobi, Kenya, LEDC- Squatter Settlements. For sustainability, compare Greenwich Millennium Village, Cambourne Case Study, the Curitiba notes and the BedZED quiz. The retail material, including the Merry Hill Centre flashcards and the Trafford Centre notes, shows how services move out of town.

Using quizzes and maps together

Read a mind map first, then take a quiz on the same theme, such as Settlement change or Rural Land Degradation. Any question you miss tells you which branch to reread. Finish with a flashcard deck to lock in the terms. Choose one case study today and see how much you can recall.