Settlement
Settlement: A place where people live. A settlement can range from one an isolated building to a capital city of over 20 million people (e.g. Mexico City).
Site: The actual location or place that a settlement is built.
Situation: The area surrounding the site of a settlement. For example you might talk about if the settlement is near a river, or near the coast or in a valley surrounded by mountains.
When discussing settlements, we will often divide them into rural and urban settlements. We also often talk about settlements found in MEDCs and LEDCs.
Urban: The built up area, any city with a population of 10,000 people or more.
Rural: Basically the countryside (everywhere outside urban areas). Rural areas maybe farmland, forest, desert or savanna depending on where you are in the world. Rural areas do contain small settlements of less than 10,000 people e.g. hamlets and villages.
MEDC: More economically developed country. Basically a richer country e.g. US, Japan or UK
LEDC: Less economically developed country. Basically a poorer country e.g. Honduras, Uganda or Bangladesh
There are many different types of settlement, but these can roughly be divided into rural and urban settlements.
Site: The actual location or place that a settlement is built.
Situation: The area surrounding the site of a settlement. For example you might talk about if the settlement is near a river, or near the coast or in a valley surrounded by mountains.
When discussing settlements, we will often divide them into rural and urban settlements. We also often talk about settlements found in MEDCs and LEDCs.
Urban: The built up area, any city with a population of 10,000 people or more.
Rural: Basically the countryside (everywhere outside urban areas). Rural areas maybe farmland, forest, desert or savanna depending on where you are in the world. Rural areas do contain small settlements of less than 10,000 people e.g. hamlets and villages.
MEDC: More economically developed country. Basically a richer country e.g. US, Japan or UK
LEDC: Less economically developed country. Basically a poorer country e.g. Honduras, Uganda or Bangladesh
There are many different types of settlement, but these can roughly be divided into rural and urban settlements.
Rural Settlements: Settlements that are found in the countryside (rural areas) and contain less than 10,000 residents.
Isolated Building: A single building. An isolated building is normally a farm. Hamlet: A small group of houses, normally about 5 to 10. There is often no services in a hamlet. Village: A settlement of up to 10,000 people. Villages will have some services in them like small shops, a primary school, a doctors surgery, bus routes. |
Urban Settlements: Settlements that contain more than 10,000 residents.
Town: A settlement of over 10,000 people that has not be designated a city. City: A large town, in the UK a town becomes a city when it has a cathedral in it. Capital City: The main administrative centre within a country and the home of the national government. Primate City: The largest and most important city within a country. The primate city will often have double the population of the next most important city. Most of the time the primate city is also the capital city, but there are some famous exceptions e.g. New York, Sydney and Sao Paolo. Conurbation: Two or more towns or cities that have joined to together e.g. Birmingham, Walsall, Dudley and Wolverhampton in England. Megaopolis: A conurbation or a clustering of cities with a population of over 10 million people e.g. Tokyo. |
Choosing the Location of a Settlement
When the sites of settlement were first chosen, settlers would mainly have looked for natural advantages. These may have included:
Water supply: Water is essential when building a settlement. You need water to drink, to wash, to water crops and to cook. Water also contains fish that can be eaten and it can be used as a transport route.
Fertile land: All settlements need food so it is important to build need fertile soil, where it is possible to grow crops. If a settlement grows a surplus of food then they might be able to trade with neighbouring settlements.
Flat land (relief): It is a lot easier to build a settlement on flat land than in mountains.
Defensive position: When sites for settlements were first chosen (hundreds or thousands of years ago), battles between settlements would have been common, therefore a good defensive location (on a small hill or surrounded by water) would have been very important.
Building materials: Most houses would have traditionally been made out of woods, reeds, etc. Therefore it would have been very important to have been located near a source of building materials.
Transport links: There wouldn't have been roads and railways when the sites of settlements were initially selected. However, access to rivers, the sea or valleys would have been very important. If the settlement was built next to a river, a site that allowed easy access across the river would have been chosen.
Fuel: Settlements would not have had electricity or gas so a location next to a reliable source of fuel would be essential. The fuel source would normally be wood, or possibly peat.
Weather: Sites with fairly stable weather will have been selected. You do not want some where too hot or too cold, too wet, too dry or too windy. To grow crops sun and rain would have been very important.
Trading Location: Settlements may have also been built for their access to trading routes. It would be very hard for one settlement to be totally self-sufficient so trade was essential. Coastal areas often make good locations to trade from.
Resources: It is useful being near resources like wood, coal, gold because you can use them to build things or trade with nearby settlements.
When the sites of settlement were first chosen, settlers would mainly have looked for natural advantages. These may have included:
Water supply: Water is essential when building a settlement. You need water to drink, to wash, to water crops and to cook. Water also contains fish that can be eaten and it can be used as a transport route.
Fertile land: All settlements need food so it is important to build need fertile soil, where it is possible to grow crops. If a settlement grows a surplus of food then they might be able to trade with neighbouring settlements.
Flat land (relief): It is a lot easier to build a settlement on flat land than in mountains.
Defensive position: When sites for settlements were first chosen (hundreds or thousands of years ago), battles between settlements would have been common, therefore a good defensive location (on a small hill or surrounded by water) would have been very important.
Building materials: Most houses would have traditionally been made out of woods, reeds, etc. Therefore it would have been very important to have been located near a source of building materials.
Transport links: There wouldn't have been roads and railways when the sites of settlements were initially selected. However, access to rivers, the sea or valleys would have been very important. If the settlement was built next to a river, a site that allowed easy access across the river would have been chosen.
Fuel: Settlements would not have had electricity or gas so a location next to a reliable source of fuel would be essential. The fuel source would normally be wood, or possibly peat.
Weather: Sites with fairly stable weather will have been selected. You do not want some where too hot or too cold, too wet, too dry or too windy. To grow crops sun and rain would have been very important.
Trading Location: Settlements may have also been built for their access to trading routes. It would be very hard for one settlement to be totally self-sufficient so trade was essential. Coastal areas often make good locations to trade from.
Resources: It is useful being near resources like wood, coal, gold because you can use them to build things or trade with nearby settlements.
Settlement Patterns
Rural settlements can develop in many different ways giving them a unique shape (morphology). The five main settlement patterns that you need to be able to recognize.
Rural settlements can develop in many different ways giving them a unique shape (morphology). The five main settlement patterns that you need to be able to recognize.
Isolated: Singly buildings on their own. These will normally be found in mountainous areas and will normally be the farmhouse of a large farm.
|
Dispersed: When individual buildings are separated by several hundred meetings. They are individual isolated buildings and do not form a single settlement.
|
Loose knit: When houses are built near each other and are obviously in the same settlement, but there is spaces between them.
|
Linear or Ribbon: This is a settlement that has grown in a line. The line doesn't have to be straight, but will normally follow a road, a river, the coast or the valley floor
|
Nucleated: When all the houses in a settlement are built very close together, often around a central village green or church.
|
CAUSES OF SETTLEMENT DISPERSION
Mountainous areas that are hard to build on and hard to build good transport links to. Severe weather conditions e.g. extremely hot or cold or wet. Mainly farm land Floodplain or coastal area that is vulnerable to flooding Only limited natural resources No job prospects No nearby schools and hospitals No electricity supply No entertainment |
CAUSES OF SETTLEMENT NUCLEATION
Good transport links (road, rail, river) Good fertile land nearby to grow food. Flat land, that is easy to build on Stable weather that is good for growing. Nearby natural resources e.g. fuel Good job prospects Good schools and hospitals Good and reliable supply of electricity, gas and water. Varied entertainment |
Settlement Growth (Functions)
Function: The job, purpose or use of a settlement. Large settlements will have more than one function and these functions may change over time. Functions may include:
Shopping (Retail)
Business (Commercial)
Farming (Agricultural)
Housing (Residential)
Educational
Healthcare
Administration (local or national government)
Fishing
Tourism
Entertainment
Sporting
Rural Areas: Rural areas tend to have a lot less functions than urban areas. The main purpose of settlements in rural areas is normally agriculture (farming) and possibly tourism. This is because rural areas have less people, poorer transport, poorer communication, less technology and the land is better used for other purposes i.e. agriculture.
Urban Areas: Urban areas tend to have a lot more functions ranging from shopping functions, to educational functions, to transport functions, to administrative functions and residential functions. The bigger the urban area, the more functions that it normally has.
Changing Functions
Settlements will grow if their functions are being successful and in demand. Alternatively if a settlements functions fall out of demand or if the resource their function relies on runs out, then the settlement may see economic and population decline.
With the birth of package holidays to the Mediterranean many British holiday resorts saw a rapid decline in the demand for their tourist functions (hotels, piers, etc.). Also many mining settlements in the UK saw a rapid decline when coal ran out or overseas coal became cheaper. However, other settlements like Dubai in the UAE saw rapid growth as it promoted itself as an all year holiday destination. Some settlements try and change their functions if one function declines. For example as Liverpool in the UK has seen a decline in its industry and port it has tried to promote its cultural, sporting, leisure and shopping functions.
Settlements can grow because of their function. San Salvador's most important function is probably business (commerce). San Salvador and its main function have both grown because of a number of human and physical factors. These include:
Function: The job, purpose or use of a settlement. Large settlements will have more than one function and these functions may change over time. Functions may include:
Shopping (Retail)
Business (Commercial)
Farming (Agricultural)
Housing (Residential)
Educational
Healthcare
Administration (local or national government)
Fishing
Tourism
Entertainment
Sporting
Rural Areas: Rural areas tend to have a lot less functions than urban areas. The main purpose of settlements in rural areas is normally agriculture (farming) and possibly tourism. This is because rural areas have less people, poorer transport, poorer communication, less technology and the land is better used for other purposes i.e. agriculture.
Urban Areas: Urban areas tend to have a lot more functions ranging from shopping functions, to educational functions, to transport functions, to administrative functions and residential functions. The bigger the urban area, the more functions that it normally has.
Changing Functions
Settlements will grow if their functions are being successful and in demand. Alternatively if a settlements functions fall out of demand or if the resource their function relies on runs out, then the settlement may see economic and population decline.
With the birth of package holidays to the Mediterranean many British holiday resorts saw a rapid decline in the demand for their tourist functions (hotels, piers, etc.). Also many mining settlements in the UK saw a rapid decline when coal ran out or overseas coal became cheaper. However, other settlements like Dubai in the UAE saw rapid growth as it promoted itself as an all year holiday destination. Some settlements try and change their functions if one function declines. For example as Liverpool in the UK has seen a decline in its industry and port it has tried to promote its cultural, sporting, leisure and shopping functions.
Settlements can grow because of their function. San Salvador's most important function is probably business (commerce). San Salvador and its main function have both grown because of a number of human and physical factors. These include:
Physical Factors for the growth of San Salvador and its main Function (Business)
· Flat Land: Compared to most of El Salvador, the area around San Salvador is relatively flat making it easier to build offices and associated facilities.
· Climate: Again compared to many other areas in El Salvador, the slightly higher climate of San Salvador makes the climate slightly cooler making the working environment more bearable.
· Site: San Salvador is located in the middle of El Salvador. This makes it easy for businesses to trade through San Salvador and the neighbouring countries of Honduras and Guatemala.
· Coast: San Salvador is only 40 minutes from the coast (La Libertad), so it is possible for businesses to trade by sea.
Human Factors for the growth of San Salvador and its main Function (Business)
· Transport: The Pan-American highway runs through San Salvador making trade with the rest of San Salvador and Central America easier. Also El Salvador's only international airport is located just outside San Salvador.
· Education: San Salvador is home to the best international schools and universities. This means that there are trained and skilled workers to work in business, but also facilities to carry out research.
· Communications: San Salvador has the best internet connections and mobile phone network making it easier for businesses to communicate with customers and suppliers.
· Market: San Salvador is the biggest settlement in EL Salvador, so businesses have a large market to sell their products to.
· Workforce: Again because San Salvador has the largest population of any settlement in El Salvador there is a large supply of workers (both manual and professional).
· Capital: San Salvador is home to the country's main banks, so it is easier for companies to raise capital to invest in their businesses.
Settlement Hierarchy and Services
Hierarchy: Placing things in an order of importance.
Sphere of Influence: The distance or area people travel from to access a service.
Services: Facilities that are offered to people e.g. supermarket, cinema, school or train station. Services have a threshold population, which helps explain why bigger settlements have more services.
Range: This usually refers to the number of different services e.g. a school, a post office, etc.
Threshold Population: The minimum amount of people required for a service to be offered and remain open.
High Order Goods (Comparison): Goods that people buy less frequently. They tend to be more expensive and people will normally compare quality and price before purchasing e.g. a TV, car or holiday.
Low Order Goods (Convenience): Goods that people buy every day. They don't usually cost much money and people would not normally travel far to buy them e.g. bread and milk.
· Flat Land: Compared to most of El Salvador, the area around San Salvador is relatively flat making it easier to build offices and associated facilities.
· Climate: Again compared to many other areas in El Salvador, the slightly higher climate of San Salvador makes the climate slightly cooler making the working environment more bearable.
· Site: San Salvador is located in the middle of El Salvador. This makes it easy for businesses to trade through San Salvador and the neighbouring countries of Honduras and Guatemala.
· Coast: San Salvador is only 40 minutes from the coast (La Libertad), so it is possible for businesses to trade by sea.
Human Factors for the growth of San Salvador and its main Function (Business)
· Transport: The Pan-American highway runs through San Salvador making trade with the rest of San Salvador and Central America easier. Also El Salvador's only international airport is located just outside San Salvador.
· Education: San Salvador is home to the best international schools and universities. This means that there are trained and skilled workers to work in business, but also facilities to carry out research.
· Communications: San Salvador has the best internet connections and mobile phone network making it easier for businesses to communicate with customers and suppliers.
· Market: San Salvador is the biggest settlement in EL Salvador, so businesses have a large market to sell their products to.
· Workforce: Again because San Salvador has the largest population of any settlement in El Salvador there is a large supply of workers (both manual and professional).
· Capital: San Salvador is home to the country's main banks, so it is easier for companies to raise capital to invest in their businesses.
Settlement Hierarchy and Services
Hierarchy: Placing things in an order of importance.
Sphere of Influence: The distance or area people travel from to access a service.
Services: Facilities that are offered to people e.g. supermarket, cinema, school or train station. Services have a threshold population, which helps explain why bigger settlements have more services.
Range: This usually refers to the number of different services e.g. a school, a post office, etc.
Threshold Population: The minimum amount of people required for a service to be offered and remain open.
High Order Goods (Comparison): Goods that people buy less frequently. They tend to be more expensive and people will normally compare quality and price before purchasing e.g. a TV, car or holiday.
Low Order Goods (Convenience): Goods that people buy every day. They don't usually cost much money and people would not normally travel far to buy them e.g. bread and milk.
Hierarchy
The hierarchy of a settlement normally depends on three variables:
1. The size of population
2. The range and number of services
3. The sphere of influence
Obviously these three variables are very much interconnected. For services to be offered there has to be a minimum threshold population. When services are then offered more people are attracted. As more people are attracted more services are offered and the sphere of influence increases.
As you move down the settlement hierarchy the number of settlements increase. For example you only get one capital city (near the top of the hierarchy) in each country, but you get thousands of isolated buildings (farms - near the bottom of the hierarchy) in every country.
The hierarchy of a settlement normally depends on three variables:
1. The size of population
2. The range and number of services
3. The sphere of influence
Obviously these three variables are very much interconnected. For services to be offered there has to be a minimum threshold population. When services are then offered more people are attracted. As more people are attracted more services are offered and the sphere of influence increases.
As you move down the settlement hierarchy the number of settlements increase. For example you only get one capital city (near the top of the hierarchy) in each country, but you get thousands of isolated buildings (farms - near the bottom of the hierarchy) in every country.
Land Uses and Land Use Models
CBD: The Central Business District. This the area in the middle of urban areas where there tends to be a concentration of retail and commercial land uses.
Transition zone: The area between the CBD and the largely residential suburbs. Traditionally this used to be an area of industry, but as industry has relocated these areas are being regenerated into mixed land use areas including houses, shops and entertainment.
Suburbs: The ares near the edge of the urban area that has a concentration of residential land use. There will also be some recreational land use within the suburbs and possibly some retail and educational.
Rural-urban fringe: This is the boundary between the urban area and the rural area (countryside). This area is demand by multiple land users e.g. agriculture, recreational, residential, retail, industrial. The large demand can often lead to conflict.
Commuter belt or Commuter villages (dormitory villages): Areas of residential land use where people travel from to their work place. People might access services near their place of work so commuter villages are often devoid of any other land uses or services.
Greenfield Site: Land that has never been built on before, greenfield sites will often be used for agriculture. Many countries are trying to restrict the amount of building on greenfield sites and encouraging building on brownfield sites.
Brownfield Site: This is land that has been built on previously but has been left abandoned and often become derelict. Most commonly brownfield sites are former factories found in the transition zone.
Derelict: Land that has been abandoned (no longer used) and often become run down or vandalised. Derelict sites is a sign of disinvestment (companies and people leaving an area).
Greenbelt: Greenbelts are protected areas of land around large urban areas. They have been used by the UK government to try and protect greenfield sites and promote building on brownfield sites.
Housing Density: The number of houses per km2.
Urban Sprawl or Urban Growth: The spread or growth of an urban area into the rural-urban fringe.
Land Use Models
A model is a simplification of reality. Models only show generalisations so near area may be exactly the same as the model. You need to know about two land use models based on MEDCs.
CBD: The Central Business District. This the area in the middle of urban areas where there tends to be a concentration of retail and commercial land uses.
Transition zone: The area between the CBD and the largely residential suburbs. Traditionally this used to be an area of industry, but as industry has relocated these areas are being regenerated into mixed land use areas including houses, shops and entertainment.
Suburbs: The ares near the edge of the urban area that has a concentration of residential land use. There will also be some recreational land use within the suburbs and possibly some retail and educational.
Rural-urban fringe: This is the boundary between the urban area and the rural area (countryside). This area is demand by multiple land users e.g. agriculture, recreational, residential, retail, industrial. The large demand can often lead to conflict.
Commuter belt or Commuter villages (dormitory villages): Areas of residential land use where people travel from to their work place. People might access services near their place of work so commuter villages are often devoid of any other land uses or services.
Greenfield Site: Land that has never been built on before, greenfield sites will often be used for agriculture. Many countries are trying to restrict the amount of building on greenfield sites and encouraging building on brownfield sites.
Brownfield Site: This is land that has been built on previously but has been left abandoned and often become derelict. Most commonly brownfield sites are former factories found in the transition zone.
Derelict: Land that has been abandoned (no longer used) and often become run down or vandalised. Derelict sites is a sign of disinvestment (companies and people leaving an area).
Greenbelt: Greenbelts are protected areas of land around large urban areas. They have been used by the UK government to try and protect greenfield sites and promote building on brownfield sites.
Housing Density: The number of houses per km2.
Urban Sprawl or Urban Growth: The spread or growth of an urban area into the rural-urban fringe.
Land Use Models
A model is a simplification of reality. Models only show generalisations so near area may be exactly the same as the model. You need to know about two land use models based on MEDCs.
Burgess Model (concentric circle model)
The Burgess Model was developed in 1925 by the sociologist Ernest Burgess. He based it solely on the US city of Chicago. He noticed a distinctive commercial area in the centre of the city and called this the CBD. He then noticed an area of factories which he called the transition zone followed by steadily improving housing as you moved away from the transition zone. The model is very simplistic, only based on one city and now largely out of date as periods of deindustrialisation and regeneration have changed many urban land use. |
Hoyt Model
The Hoyt Model was developed in 1939 by the economist Homer Hoyt. Hoyt based his model on 142 North American cities. Like Burgess he noticed a largely commercial area in the centre of the urban areas (the CBD). However, unlike Burgess' circles he noticed the development of wedges. He noticed that industry often developed along major transport routes e.g. railways, canals and roads. He then noticed that the poorer residential areas were focused near the industry while richer residential areas tended to grow further away from polluting industrial areas. Again there are some limitations because Hoyt only looked at North American cities in a period before mass car ownership. Also like with Burgess' model many changes have since taken place in MEDC cities. |
The Rural-Urban Fringe
Rural-urban fringe: The boundary between the urban area (towns and cities) and the rural area (countryside).
Because so many people want to work and live in the rural-urban fringe, different groups frequently come into conflict over how to use it. Groups that may come into conflict include:
House developers
House buyers
Farmers
Hikers and cyclistsRoad builders
Factories
Supermarkets
Business or science parks
For example farmers and industry will probably disagree over many things. Industry might want to build on farmers land, farmers maybe worried about pollution disturbing crops and animals and both might be worried about each others transport. You can complete the conflict matrix below to look for other possible conflicts.
Types of Residential Housing
Council Housing: This is government housing which is usually given to people that are unemployed and have a low income. The rent on council houses are lower than the rent on private property.
Detached Housing: A single house that is not attached to any other house. A detached house will normally have a garden and a drive. These types of houses are normally found in the suburbs.
Semi-Detached Housing: Two houses that are joined together. They will probably have individual gardens and drives. These types of houses are normally found in the suburbs.
Terraced Housing: A long line of attached houses. These are typical in old industrial cities of the UK. They are normally found in the transition zone area and they would have been housing for people working in the factories. They were very basic houses, often with no electricity and an outside toilet. Many have now been knocked down or improved.
Bungalow: This is a house with only one floor. They are very popular amongst old people who find it hard to use stairs. Bungalows can be detached or semi-detached. They are normally found in the suburbs.
Flats or Apartments: These are buildings with multiple levels. Normally a flat or apartment will only be on one floor within the block of flats or the apartment building.
Tenure: This means who owns the house. Houses can be owner occupied, which means the people living their own it, council houses which means the government own its, privately rented, which means a private landlord (owner) owns it, or owned by a private organisation (housing association) and rented privately.
Even though the UK population is fairly stable the demand for houses has increased. The reasons for this include:
· Family sizes are now smaller, so the average number of people per house is lower
· There are more divorces and single people so more houses are needed
· People tend to leave home younger so need their own houses
· Many migrants are single and need there own house
· People are getting married later, so need there own house for longer.
· A lot of old houses are considered to be uninhabitable (no bathroom, etc.)
· Old people are choosing to live on their own instead of moving to their family or moving into a care home.
Controlling Growth in the Rural-Urban Fringe
Because of urban sprawl and because the loss of greenfield sites is such a big problem, many suggestions have been given to solve the problem, including:
Rural-urban fringe: The boundary between the urban area (towns and cities) and the rural area (countryside).
Because so many people want to work and live in the rural-urban fringe, different groups frequently come into conflict over how to use it. Groups that may come into conflict include:
House developers
House buyers
Farmers
Hikers and cyclistsRoad builders
Factories
Supermarkets
Business or science parks
For example farmers and industry will probably disagree over many things. Industry might want to build on farmers land, farmers maybe worried about pollution disturbing crops and animals and both might be worried about each others transport. You can complete the conflict matrix below to look for other possible conflicts.
Types of Residential Housing
Council Housing: This is government housing which is usually given to people that are unemployed and have a low income. The rent on council houses are lower than the rent on private property.
Detached Housing: A single house that is not attached to any other house. A detached house will normally have a garden and a drive. These types of houses are normally found in the suburbs.
Semi-Detached Housing: Two houses that are joined together. They will probably have individual gardens and drives. These types of houses are normally found in the suburbs.
Terraced Housing: A long line of attached houses. These are typical in old industrial cities of the UK. They are normally found in the transition zone area and they would have been housing for people working in the factories. They were very basic houses, often with no electricity and an outside toilet. Many have now been knocked down or improved.
Bungalow: This is a house with only one floor. They are very popular amongst old people who find it hard to use stairs. Bungalows can be detached or semi-detached. They are normally found in the suburbs.
Flats or Apartments: These are buildings with multiple levels. Normally a flat or apartment will only be on one floor within the block of flats or the apartment building.
Tenure: This means who owns the house. Houses can be owner occupied, which means the people living their own it, council houses which means the government own its, privately rented, which means a private landlord (owner) owns it, or owned by a private organisation (housing association) and rented privately.
Even though the UK population is fairly stable the demand for houses has increased. The reasons for this include:
· Family sizes are now smaller, so the average number of people per house is lower
· There are more divorces and single people so more houses are needed
· People tend to leave home younger so need their own houses
· Many migrants are single and need there own house
· People are getting married later, so need there own house for longer.
· A lot of old houses are considered to be uninhabitable (no bathroom, etc.)
· Old people are choosing to live on their own instead of moving to their family or moving into a care home.
Controlling Growth in the Rural-Urban Fringe
Because of urban sprawl and because the loss of greenfield sites is such a big problem, many suggestions have been given to solve the problem, including:
Greenbelts: A greenbelt is an area of land around urban areas that is protected from development. Greenbelts were first started in the UK in the 1930's and now there are 14 greenbelts around all major urban areas. The idea is to stop greenfield sites being built on and alternative like brownfield sites being used.
|
Urban Wedges: Some planners have suggested that urban growth should be allowed to take place in wedges (a bit like the wedges in the Hoyt Model). By building in wedges from the CBD it will ensure that some greens areas are protected near the CBD and throughout the city. This time of planning has been used in several Danish cities.
|
Brownfield Sites: The UK government has set targets for the use of brownfield sites. They want over 60% of new houses to be built on them, therefore protecting rural areas. However, many brownfield sites are heavily polluted, increasing the cost of construction and there are shortages of brownfield sites in areas where demand for houses is greatest. For example the south east of the UK where demand is high there is a shortage of brownfield sites.
|
Housing Density: Another proposition is to increase the housing density of all future housing developments. The UK government encourages all developments to have between 30 and 50 houses per hectare (10000m2). By doing this less land will be destroyed.
|