Settlement along with population are the two topics that you can guarantee that a revision question will come up in the exam. Settlement is also frequently used in the fieldwork paper which we will cover in another revision post.
This interactive map of Urban Growth from the BBC is fascinating and is also an excellent introduction.
It has been projected by the UN that world population will expand from 6.1 billion to 7.8 billion between 2000 and 2025 with 90% of the gowth occuring in urban areas or less developed countries (Population Reference Bureau). In 1800, only 3% of the world's population lived in urban areas, by 2000 this was estimated to be 47% and according to the Population Reference Bureau it is projected to reach 58% by 2025!
In this unit of the course, we will explore the growth of settlements in both MEDCs and LEDCs, looking at the reasons for, and changes in their growth and development as well as the resulting problems. We will also consider the patterns of land-use that have developed and some of the issues faced in managing these urban areas.
Wikipedia is a great place to start, especially fro general information
BBC Urban Planet has a series of articles that are all relevant.
Internet Geography offers a general overview
The BBC offers a photo archive that offers a broad view of the issues we look at
Here are all of the key headings that you need to be able to revise effectivey.
Make sure you are away of what is meant by the site and situation of a settlement and that you are able to make use of OS map evidence to describe site and situation (this is commonly required in the fieldwork paper).
BBC Bitesize, what is a settlement
1.Land-Use zones - you need to be able to describe and account for differences between the characteristics of land-use zones within settlements - remember the zones within the Burgess model - CBD; Inner City; Inner Suburbs; Outer Suburbs; Rural-urban fringe;
Rural Urban fring definition
Remember that there will be subtle differences in the land use zones of LEDCs and MEDCs, if you are not sure what I mean take a look at the excellent Daniel Raven Ellison and his Urban Earth project as he walks across differnt urban areas taking a photograph every 10 steps, sounds wierd but it is compelling!
Try google maps also, you could always start by watching this video and then googling wher you live and the surrounding area then possibly either moving towards the centre of Porto or away from it, what do you see in the changes of land use and utilisation?
2. Conflict at the Urban-Rural Fringe - be aware of the conflicts between land-users at the rural-urban fringe, types of development that locate in this area and strategies to try and reduce urban sprawl, e.g. green belts.
3. Case Study of Urban Regeneration - make sure that you are able to discuss a case study of urban regeneration such as the London Docklands - remember you must be able to give clear locational detail and specific facts and figures to reach the highest marks.
4. Case Study of Urban Traffic Management - remember to learn a case study - again you must be able to give clear locational detail and specific facts and figures to reach the highest marks.
We looked at the cost on companies of congestion making employees late and also holding up potential deliveries of goods and services, The environmental impact of pollution, noise, parking difficulties, stress on commuters, problems with public transport.
All of these are exemplifies in the Top Gear Race across London, which we saw in class but as it so classic I though that you might want to waste a few minutes of your valuable revision time watching it again.
You have to remember however that it is not all negative and that cities like New York, London and Paris are all attempting to combat congestion in a variety of different ways. The congestion charge in London has been particularly successful. As has the scheme to rent bicycles in Paris.
5. Know an example of the attractions and problems of an out-of-town shopping centre like Mar Shopping and the financial problems that it is currently experiencing. Think about the impact that Nort Shopping has on the local area, especially Matosinhos over the last few weekends which have been particularly wet, wher would you rather do your weekly shop and why?
6. Understand the causes and consequences of counterurbanisation (urban-rural migration), the impact on suburbanised villages and the impact of second homes in relation to changes in village populations.
7. Understand the concept of a settlement hierarchy and the interdependence of a town and its surrounding area (e.g. sphere of influence, threshold population etc.)
Settlement Hierarchy wikipedia definition
Shopping hierarchy
8. Housing Shortages and their Management is an issue of considerable importance in both MEDCs but LEDCs as well. We looked at the shortage of affordable housing in the South East of the UK around London and the you could also consider the possible impact of the corrent economic downturn on building companies and their current reluctance to build property at the moment.
9. Squatter settlements and the growth of cities in LEDC´s, we looked primarily at Mumbai in India as a case study of the worlds largest slum settlements. Slumdog millionare is great for this, but if you dont have the spare time to watch the film, this clip will just have to do instead.
Case studies are essential in order to gain you the higher grades.
BBC Bitesize has excellent information on Urban models in both MEDCs and LEDCs
