This refers to the arrangement of settlements in an order of importance, usually from many isolated

1
Settlement hierarchy

• This refers to the arrangement of settlements in
  an order of importance, usually from many
  isolated dwellings or hamlets at the base of the
  hierarchy to one major city, (usually the
  capital) at the top.
• The order of importance is usually based on one
  of the following
• the area and population of the settlement (size)
• the range and number of services/functions
  within each settlement
• the relative sphere of influence of each
  settlement.

2
Settlement hierarchy
Population
Conurbation
1,000,001
100,001 1,000,000
population and size of settlement increases
City
2,001 100,000
Town
101 2,000
Village
11-100
Hamlet
1-10
Isolated dwelling
3
Identify this type of settlement
4
Match the service to the settlement
The services may apply to more than one size of
settlement.
Hamlet
Village
Town
City
5
Sphere of influence
This is defined as the area served by a
particular settlement. The size of this sphere
of influence depends on the size and functions of
a town and its surrounding settlement, the
transport facilities available and the level of
competition from a rival settlement.
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Sphere of influence
Sphere of Influence is based upon two main
principles
Threshold Population the minimum number of
people needed to support a settlement or service.
Range the maximum distance that people are
prepared to travel to obtain a particular service.
Put the following in order, with the one with the
largest range first
7
N
Which grocer has the largest sphere of influence?
Describe the shape of the sphere of influence of
grocer 3.
0
2km
Why dont people travel to grocer 3 from the
west?
grocer 1
grocer 2
grocer 3
settlement
Give some possible reasons why grocer 1 has the
smallest sphere of influence.
bridge
river
sphere of influence
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Service Centres
Route Centres
Administrative
Cultural Religious
Function
Manufacturing/ Industrial Towns
Mining Towns
Tourist Resorts
Ports
Market Towns
Residential
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What is the function of a settlement?
The function of a settlement relates to its
economic (money-earning ) and social development
and refers to its main activities.
Every settlement has a residential function.
Most settlements are multi-functional (have more
than one function). In addition, most settlements
have had a change in function from their original
one.
For example, Rhondda was originally a coal mining
village but now has a tourist function (mining
museum).
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Guildford
Study the next two slides showing photographs of
Guildford and note the present day functions of
this settlement. Is there any evidence of past
functions?
11
Guildford
12
Guildford
13
Guildford
Historical Functions Medieval market town
medieval woollen trade main London to Portsmouth
thoroughfare nineteenth century industries such
as printing and brewing.
Present Day functions Commuting (fast trains to
Waterloo) shopping centre administrative
cathedral university science and business
parks near M25, M3 and in area of hi-tech
development.