Unit 3, Topic 2 – Settlement

Change

• SETTLEMENT – place where a community lives

• Settlements do not happen accidently or grow by chance

• Their location, shape and growth is affected by physical, human and economic factors

• SITE – land on which a settlement built on

• The original decision on choosing the site would have been influence by many factors

BESANCON - FRANCE

TADCASTER

ELY- CAMBRIDGSHIRE

DURHAM

SOUTHAMPTON

5 key settlement factors

Water Supply

Communications

Aspect

Defence

Shelter

Water Supply – drinking, food, cleaning, transport

WET POINT SITES – sites located near rivers, lakes or springs

DRYPOINT SITES – sites located above the floodplain

Aspect and Shelter South facing slopes receive more sun > warmer

South facing slopes more sheltered from cold northern winds

Most settlements began as agricultural

Defence

Very important in centuries past

High ground, surrounded by river, mouth of river

Communications

Settlements grew where rivers could be crossed (BRIDGING POINT) – London, Oxford, Paris

Junctions of valleys, gaps through hills

Good communications > good trade > markets

Resources

Early settlers needed timber, stone.

Later on Coal, Oil

Also food and precious materials