Settlement Patterns

Settlements can develop in many different ways which gives them a unique shape (morphology).
Settlement patterns refer to the arrangement of buildings on the ground or the shape of a village
town. A settlement pattern can be dispersed, linear, nucleated or isolated.

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Dispersed settlement patterns are where isolated buildings are spread out across an area, usually
separated by a few hundred metres with no central focus. It is typically an area containing buildings
rather than a single settlement. The population is sparsely distributed in a dispersed settlement. There
are usually no services in a dispersed settlement. Dispersed settlements usually occur in:
• remote or mountainous regions
• areas where the land is predominantly used for agriculture
• areas with limited job opportunities
• locations with few, if any, job opportunities

Nucleated settlement patterns are settlements where buildings are grouped together around a central
area where the buildings are mainly concentrated around a common centre such as a road junction, park
or service area. Most large cities are nucleated indicating they are well planned. Nucleation occurs due
to:
• flat relief which is easy to build on
• the site has a bridging point
• the site is a good defensive position
• a good water supply
• no restrictions to development in any direction
• good job opportunities
• effective public services
• good transport links

Linear settlement patterns are settlements where buildings are grouped in a line. They developed
normally along a road, a river valley or water body. This allows the settlement to utilise transport routes.
They can also occur along valley floors where the sides are very steep.

Isolated settlement patterns are single buildings on their own. These will normally be found in
mountainous areas and will normally be the farmhouse of a large farm.
 ➔ COPY:

Also see Guiness and Nagle pg 35-36

 ➔ ACTIVITY: For each of the following photographs, A to E, identify the settlement pattern.

Photograph A

Photograph B
Photograph C

Photograph D

Photograph E