Introduction to the

Human Environment
An Overview of the Human Environment
The key components of the human environment are:
population, settlements, agriculture, transport and
communications.
Transport: The
movement of
people or goods
from one place to
another using
vehicles
Agriculture: The
growing of crops
or rearing of
animals.
Communications:
The exchange of
information and
ideas between
people.
Settlements: The
places where
people live and
carry out activities.
Population: The
people occupying
an area.
Interaction between People and
the Physical Environment
The interactions of people with the physical
environment result in changes and the creation of
a human environment.

Population
The physical environment of a
place is changed with the
population residing there.
For instance, an increase in the
population will lead to more land
converted for housing, farming
and other land use.
Settlements
A settlement is formed with the growth of the
population residing in an area (E.g. a village, town
or city). People may engage in various activities
such as farming, mining and manufacturing in a
settlement.
Interaction between People and
the Physical Environment
Agriculture
People living in a settlement may engage in
agricultural activities such as the growing of crops
and rearing of animals for food and other purposes.
Interaction between People and
the Physical Environment
Transport and Communications
People travel from one place to another using
vehicles. They maintain contact with one another
via various ways, such as through newspapers or by
using the telephone or E-mail.
Interaction between People and
the Physical Environment
Discover the Human Environment
By examining the human environment closer, we
can discover the extent in which people have
changed the environment to meet their needs.
A good example would be the remaking of
Singapore's own Chinatown in 1998. The shop-
houses along Temple Street were old and run-down
before restoration turned the place into a shopping
attraction for both locals and tourists.