Definition and scope of settlement geography

this study material describes the definition and scope of settlement geography.

1. Definition and Scope of Settlement Geography
Margubur Rahaman, CBPBU
Introduction
Settlement geography is branch of human geography, which deals with how human
population has distributed on the earth. Generally, it covers population distribution,
settlement size and patterns, and growth of human settlement with associated socio-physical
factors. It also extends their discussion on the how human settlement has been changing land-
use patterns and impact on environment. Over the time with technological innovation and up
gradation, the settlement geography shifted to remote sensing-based spatial analysis of
settlement, settlement planning model to achieve sustainable development goals.
Definition
Jordan (1966) “Emphasizes that settlement geography not completely investigates the
distributions, but even more the structures, processes and interactions between settlements
and its environment (such as soil, geomorphology, economy or society), which produce
them.” “Settlement geography describes and explains the settlements„ location, substance,
form and structure, as well as the functions and processes that produced them over time.”
Scope
The principal aim of learning settlement geography is to acquaint with the structural and
spatial physiognomies of human settlements under different environmental and socio-cultural
circumstances. The scope of settlement geography has been changing over the time, but focal
point of discussion is more or less same.
Settlement geography deals with characteristics and progress of settlement based on some
basic components i.e. area, site, shape, situation, function, and population. Here, area defines
how large the area of settlement is. Similarly, site describes the actual upon which a
settlement is built. Function describes associated socio-economic factors of settlement and
development. Situation correlates impact of surrounding socio-cultural and physical
environment on settlement. Population is focal point of every discussion of settlement
geography. In particular, settlement geography concern with when and how human beings
formed settlement, how it is evolved with time, and will be happened in future. Since
industrial revolution the urban settlement increased drastically which extend the radius of
settlement geography and includes urban morphology, urban planning, and quality of life as
well as sustainable urban settlement. With the development of transport facilities, the rural
people starts mass migration from rural-urban this introduced over-population in urban area.
To highlight this issues settlement geography focused on changing patterns of rural
settlement, challenging issues and suitable solution related theories like provision of urban
amenities in rural area (PURA).
In conclusion, the scope settlement geography is dynamics in nature with space and time.
This branch of human geography contributes the knowledge about physical characterise of

2. the settlement with contributing factors, challenges, issues regarding settlement and coping
strategies aim to build a sustainable human habitat on the world.