Understanding Urban and Rural Settlements: Key Concepts
The Urban Settlement
The urban settlement is the result of a process of population concentration in cities. The growth of cities leads to the formation of a metropolitan area, comprised of a central core (the metropolitan area itself) and surrounding urban areas.
A conurbation originates when two nearby towns unite to form a single entity. A megalopolis is the result of the union of several conurbations.
City Functions
Cities serve various functions, including:
- Residential
- Commercial
- Industrial
- Political and Administrative
- Cultural
City Hierarchy
The hierarchy of a city refers to its area of influence. First-class cities, or those with national ranking, influence the regional economy. Cities like New York, Tokyo, Paris, and London have global influence.
Urban Network
An urban network is a set of urban centers and the hierarchical relationships between them. The site of a city refers to its location relative to other cities, states, or geographical areas.
Urban Planning
Urban planning is a graphic representation of the distribution of built-up areas.
Different Levels of Urban Planning
- Orthogonal: Characterized by straight streets intersecting at right angles. This layout may not be suitable for all road traffic conditions, and difficult terrain, as the right angles can impede visibility. Examples include New York and Buenos Aires.
- Radiocentric: Features a central point from which a series of roads radiate outwards. This can cause traffic difficulties, as all traffic is forced to cross the city center. An example is Milan.
- Irregular: Characterized by short, narrow streets, blind alleys, and an irregular layout. This is often found in older city areas and can cause traffic difficulties. Examples include the historic centers of Seville, Cordoba, Granada, and Madrid.
Urban Buildings
Types of urban buildings include old buildings, blocks of buildings, houses, and shacks (xabolas).
Settlement Types
A settlement represents the population in a given territory.
Distinction Between Cities and Towns
The distinction between cities and towns is based on factors such as population concentration, the economic activities of the people, the territorial extent, the shape and size of streets and buildings, and the availability of public services. Any type of settlement represents a transformation of the natural environment into a humanized landscape.
Types of Rural Settlement
- Scattered Settlement: Characterized by dwelling houses, farmhouses, or villages scattered across the countryside.
- Cottages: Freestanding buildings in agricultural or livestock-raising areas.
- Hamlet (Caserio): A very small set of houses in the countryside.
- Village (Aldea): A concentrated settlement.
- Interlayer Settlement: A mix of concentrated and dispersed elements.
Rural Communities
Villages (pueblos) are the basic units of settlement in rural areas.
Village Forms
- Street or Linear: Located on both sides of a communication path or a river.
- Concentrated: Arranged around a central core.
- Radial: Focused around a central core.
Villages and Agricultural Activities
- Farm or Fishing Village
- Agro-city (Agrociudad): Provides various services and urban elements, with main activities in agriculture and livestock.
- Residential Village
Roads
- Rural Roads: Allow communication between towns.
- Cattle Trails: Places of pasture for livestock.
The structure of a settlement presents different elements based on local climatic conditions, agricultural practices in the area, and available building materials.