Settlement & Services Hierarchy | Geography for GCSE/IGCSE - Year 11 PDF Download

Settlement hierarchy

• A hierarchy is a way of organizing settlements based on population size, services offered, and number of settlements.
• As we move up the hierarchy, there are fewer settlements, but the population and services increase.
• The hierarchy progresses from dispersed areas to hamlets, villages, market towns, large towns, cities, conurbations, and finally megacities.
• This creates a pyramid-shaped model with more villages than towns and more cities than megacities.
• Settlement hierarchy is determined by:
  • Population size
  • Number of services provided
  • Number of settlements
• Key points about settlement hierarchy
• Moving up the hierarchy results in fewer settlements.
• Population, services, and settlement numbers increase as we move up the hierarchy.
• The progression follows a pattern: Dispersed ➔ Hamlets ➔ Villages ➔ Market towns ➔ Large towns ➔ Cities ➔ Conurbations ➔ Megacities.
• The hierarchical model resembles a pyramid, with more cities than megacities and more villages than towns.

Services Hierarchy

• All settlements provide essential services like food items.
• The range of services offered by a settlement depends on its size, both in terms of physical area and population.
• The minimum population required for a specific service to be available in an area is known as the threshold population.
• In small villages or hamlets with fewer residents, only basic services such as post offices, general stores, pubs, and limited healthcare facilities are available.
• Towns offer a mix of basic and advanced services, including churches, medical centers, garages, schools, and restaurants.
• Cities and conurbations focus on providing advanced services like recreational centers, educational institutions, places of worship, retail chains, and hospitals.
• Exceptions exist where certain areas may offer more services than usual, such as small seaside resorts, while others, like commuter or dormitory towns, may have fewer services.

Sphere of Influence

• Some places vary in the range of services they offer. For instance, a quaint seaside resort might provide more amenities compared to a simple commuter or dormitory town.
• The sphere of influence of a settlement refers to the geographical area it caters to, also termed as the catchment area. This represents the distance individuals are willing to travel to access specific services or goods.
• Settlement size often correlates with its sphere of influence. Generally, larger settlements exert a broader influence. In contrast, smaller hamlets or villages typically possess a limited sphere of influence, resulting in a narrower range of available services.

Types of Goods

• Low-order goods encompass everyday items like milk or bread, necessitating frequent purchases. Consumers usually prefer convenience over extensive travel for such goods, as the cost and effort of seeking alternatives outweigh any potential savings.
• High-order goods include products like electronics or furniture that require comparative evaluation before purchase. Establishing a store selling high-order goods demands a sizable population base, as consumers are willing to travel significant distances for these items.

Case Study: Lozere, France

• Lozere is a department located in southeast France, known for its landlocked nature.
• The local economy of Lozere is primarily reliant on cattle rearing and tourism due to its challenging soil quality and mountainous terrain.
• The region experiences low unemployment rates, attributed to the departure of young residents, resulting in an aging population.
• Improved transportation networks and enhanced tourism have led to a slight population increase and the introduction of some services.
• While tourism presents employment opportunities, they are often restricted to seasonal, low-skilled, low-paid, and part-time positions.

Impact on Services and Population Distribution

• St-Andrè-Capcèze and Mende have populations of 176 (2015) and 12,370 respectively, offering a wide range of services including railways, dentists, hotels, cinemas, and horse riding.
• Residents must travel 14-25 miles for skiing due to insufficient mountain height for skiing; however, their sphere of influence extends beyond their immediate vicinity.
• Badaroux, located near a lake, primarily attracts visitors interested in fishing, swimming, and leisure activities.
• Villefort, with a population of 639, is strategically positioned to provide comprehensive services to its residents.
• Cubières and Altier, despite having larger populations than St-Andrè-Capcèze, struggle to offer a wide array of services due to their remote locations.