Download - Unit 3, Topic 2 – Settlement Change
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