1 Processes and Spatial Patterns

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1 Classification of settlements and factors influencing site and situation

What is settlement?

Settlement is a place where people live, which includes buildings, economic activities and transport networks. The size and shape of settlements vary across the earth’s surface. A settlement can be as small as a single building or as large as a megalopolis.

Site Site refers to the exact land (physical landscape) on which a settlement is built.
Site factors:
- Water
- Relief/micro climate
- Soil
- Climate
- Accessibly and communication
- Tradition
- Fuel and building material

Influence of site on settlements:

1. Wet point sites

Kufra Oasis wet point site. Download the Google Earth Kufra Oasis Bookmark: {filelink=1}

2. Dry point sites

Port Shepstone Country club and Golf Course are built on a flood plane. This area is often flooded in the rainy season. Residential houses are built on the surrounding hills.

Download the Google Earth Port Shepstone Bookmark: {filelink=2}

3. Defensive sites

Colenso defensive site. Download the Google Earth Colenso Bookmark: {filelink=3}

4. Accessibility/communication sites

Worcester – Gap Town Download the Google Earth Worcester Bookmark: {filelink=4}

Tulbagh – Gap Town Download the Google Earth Tulbagh Bookmark: {filelink=5}

The road heading away from Worcester, entering the Matroosberg Mountains.

Situation Situation refers to the location of a settlement and includes:
- Roads
- Railways, harbours and airports
- Distance to other settlements/markets
- Access to resources and services
  Example: Richards Bay is close to a harbour with international links.
  Download the Google Earth Richards Bay Bookmark: {filelink=6}

Classification of settlements according to:
- Size and complexity
- Pattern
  - Nucleated:
  - Linear/ribbon development:
  - Planned (circular or square):
  - Crossroads: Semi-circular:

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Function Function is the main factor that is used to differentiate between rural and urban settlements.
Urban / rural

Rural	Urban
Uni-functional Associated with primary activities It has one dominant function, e.g. agriculture. forestry, mining, conservation, quarrying Farmsteads, hamlets and villages	Multi-functional Associated with secondary, tertiary and quaternary activities Variety of functions such as shops, schools, places of worship, hotel, factories, post office, etc Towns, cities, metropolis, conurbation and megalopolis

Site and situation
- Factors influencing site and situation of rural settlements
- Factors influencing site and situation of urban settlements