Higher Geography

URBAN GEOGRAPHY

http://www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/learning/learningzone/clips/7811/

TaskUsing a local map try to identify the site factors for Peebles.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/learning/learningzone/clips/7771/

The influence of geology on our landscapeDuration: 04:42Modern digital terrain model technology is transforming our perceptions of geology and the influence of rock type on both the physical and human landscape.

Site and SituationThe location and growth of an settlement depended upon its site and situation. The site was the actual place where people decided to locate their settlement. The growth of that settlement then depended upon its situation in relation to accessibility and availability of natural resources.

Task - Copy these notes

Barcelona's Site and Situation

TaskUsing Google Earth or an Atlas try to confirm the following for Barcelona's Site and Situation

Site Situation

•Hill for defence •Reliable water supply for drinking and power •Fertile farmland •Flat land for building •Sheltered by hills to the north •South-facing slope •Natural harbour •Construction material •Bridging point

•Port •Route Centre •Limestone quarries •Close to wealthy NW European markets

Barcelona's Site and Situation

Function of settlementsRURAL 19th Century

(MEDC)20th Century(MEDC)

20th Century(LEDC)

Market - Farming

Mining Administration Administration

Route Centre Manufacturing Manufacturing Market - Farming

Small Service Town

Route Centre Route Centre Route Centre or port

Defensive Religious Service Mining

Dormitory and Overspill

Trade / Commerce

Commercial Commercial

Cultural / Religious

Service

Resort / Recreation

Residential

New Towns

Classification of Settlements

SETTLEMENT

RURAL(COUNTRYSIDE)

URBAN(BUILT UP AREAS)

Hamlet Village Market Town Large Town CityConurbation(Megalopolis)

Central Place Theory• Central Place Theory suggests that there is a

pattern in the distribution and location of settlements of different sizes, and also, in the ways in which they provided services to people living within their sphere of influence.

• The ideal shape for the sphere of influence of a central place is circular, as then the distance from it to all points on the boundary is equal.

• BUT – circles leave some areas without services and some are served by more than one central place.

• Hexagons are used instead in order to fully (and equally) cover the whole area.

Central Place Theory

Urbanisation• Urbanisation is an increase in the

proportion of people living in urban areas (towns and cities).

On a world scale this has happened twice:

• In MEDCs – during the 19th century due to industrialisation.

• In LEDCs – since the 1950s due to a high natural increase and migration from rural to urban areas.

Terminology• Urbanisation: Growth of cities and towns• Suburbanisation: People and industries

move out to the edge of towns and cities• Counter-urbanisation: Movement of

industry and people to small settlements outside urban areas.

• Re-urbanisation: The movement of industry and people back into urban areas (left abandoned after industrial closure or suburbanisation)

World’s Largest Cities - 2006

Most populated urban areas

TaskAnswer the following questions:• 1 Describe the location of the

world’s major cities.

• 2 Describe how the location of the world’s largest cities has changed between 1900 and 2000.

Counterurbanisation• Urbanisation is now in decline in some

MEDCs and has been replaced by counterurbanisation.

• People are now moving back out of cities to rural areas because of problems such as crime, unemployment, traffic congestion and social problems such as vandalism.

• Many people still work in the city but live in the cleaner environment of the countryside. For example in dormitory towns and commuter settlements.