Settlement Hierarchy

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SETTLEMENT HIERARCHY

The ‘Settlement Hierarchy‛ model shows the rank order of settlements

a pattern which is generally true – though there are some exceptions e.g. a city smaller than a large town

Settlements are ranked by Population Size (no. of services and distance apart also important)

As settlement size increases, the number decreases – so there are many villages but few conurbations

*A Conurbation is at the top of the hierarchy because it has a high population, a large range and number of services and will be a

long distance from other Conurbations

*An Isolated Dwelling is at the bottom of the hierarchy because it only has a few people living there, possibly no services, and it

is likely to be close to other isolated dwellings

THE NUMBER OF SERVICES PROVIDED IN A SETTLEMENT INCREASES WITH SETTLEMENT SIZE.

Hierarchy of Settlements according to Services

Hamlet - Perhaps none, or public telephone

Village Church, Post Office, Public House, Shops for Daily goods, Small Junior School, Village Hall

Small Town - Town Hall, Doctor, Several Churches / Chapels, Cafes and Restaurants, Small Secondary School,

Railway Station, Several Shops

Large Town - Several shopping areas / arcades, Hypermarket, Railway Station, Bus Station, Hotels, Banks, Small

Hospital, Small Football Team

City Large Railway Station, Large Shopping Complex, Cathedral, Opticians and Jewellers, Large Hospital,

Large Football Team, University, Theatre, County Hall, Airport

Conurbation / Capital Cathedrals, Government Buildings, Banking HQ, Railway Termini, Museums and Art Galleries, Large Theatre, Shopping Centre, Several Universities, International Airport