Services in Current Urban Settlements
Of the world's population, rural settlements (small number of services) and urban settlements (large number of services) are almost evenly split based on where people live, with those living in urban settlements overtaking the number of those living in rural settlements for the first time in 2008. Urban areas constitute the central city and the surrounding suburban areas as well.
Three Characteristics of Urban Settlements: Louis Wirth was an American sociologist who determined the difference between the social relationships of people living in urban settlements and those living in rural settlements rested on three characteristics: large population size, large population density, and social heterogeneity.
Urbanization: The definition of urbanization is the process by which an individual or people of an urban settlement expands or grows. There are two aspects that need to be distinguished. The number of people living in an urban settlement and the percentage of people in general living in an urban settlement. MDCs tend to have a higher percentage of a population living in urban settlements. This is due to MDCs having better access or development in industries, either in the manufacturing (secondary) or services (tertiary) sectors. This is also due, in part, to the Industrial Revolution and when it occurred in different areas of the world.
With an increase in secondary and tertiary sectors of the economy, an increase of population in cities is inevitable as these urban settlements are the places where there are more jobs and access to these services.
Three Characteristics of Urban Settlements: Louis Wirth was an American sociologist who determined the difference between the social relationships of people living in urban settlements and those living in rural settlements rested on three characteristics: large population size, large population density, and social heterogeneity.
1. Large population size: Compared to rural settlements, urban dwellers may know a smaller portion of the people they interact with, even including those that provide them services. Because of the large population size, there are fewer personal relationships, but possibly more professional ones. The largest city by population as of 2015 is Shanghai, China with a population of 24,256,800.
2. Large population density: In a rural settlement, there is less diversity amongst specialized services. This means that many people serve multiple functions in a rural settlement, whereas in an urban settlement, each individual is more specialized because of higher population density and competition for vocations. The largest city by population density as of 2015 is Dhaka, Bangladesh with a density of 45,307 people per square kilometer.
3. Social heterogeneity: A more diverse group of people may be more beneficial. Social behaviors, customs, and creeds, are more tolerated and accepted than in a rural settlement. This also includes access to different religions and cultures that would not be available without an urban setting.
2. Large population density: In a rural settlement, there is less diversity amongst specialized services. This means that many people serve multiple functions in a rural settlement, whereas in an urban settlement, each individual is more specialized because of higher population density and competition for vocations. The largest city by population density as of 2015 is Dhaka, Bangladesh with a density of 45,307 people per square kilometer.
3. Social heterogeneity: A more diverse group of people may be more beneficial. Social behaviors, customs, and creeds, are more tolerated and accepted than in a rural settlement. This also includes access to different religions and cultures that would not be available without an urban setting.
Urbanization: The definition of urbanization is the process by which an individual or people of an urban settlement expands or grows. There are two aspects that need to be distinguished. The number of people living in an urban settlement and the percentage of people in general living in an urban settlement. MDCs tend to have a higher percentage of a population living in urban settlements. This is due to MDCs having better access or development in industries, either in the manufacturing (secondary) or services (tertiary) sectors. This is also due, in part, to the Industrial Revolution and when it occurred in different areas of the world.
With an increase in secondary and tertiary sectors of the economy, an increase of population in cities is inevitable as these urban settlements are the places where there are more jobs and access to these services.
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Related Links: Services in Current Rural and Urban Settlements Quiz Services in Earlier Settlements AP Human Geography Quizzes AP Human Geography Notes |