Rural Settlement Patterns CGC1D Mar. 24, 2014 Rural Settlement Patterns

Factors that affect the pattern of rural settlement: The RESOURCES in the area Resources = JOBS *Which jobs would be associated with the following landscapes?

2. TRANSPORTATION methods at the time of settlement. Any communities established before 1800 were based on water transportation Communities established after 1800 were based on road and rail transportation

3. GOVERNMENT Policy In some areas, settlement occurred with little to no government input In others, the government carefully planned how, where, and when settlement would occur. Three different settlement patterns can be found across Canada:

Long Lots of Southern Quebec Created 1627 Land was owned by King of France Developed along waterways (St. Lawrence River) for transportation Settled before survey system implemented Long, thin farms Heritage Law – owners had to divide land amongst offspring Taxes based on width of lot

Advantages and Disadvantages Pros Excellent soil conditions Access to river ways Narrow – lower taxes Close to neighbours Cons Narrow lots hard to work Land became small and unworkable when divided amongst offspring

Concession System in Ontario Southern Ontario Occurred after survey system was in place Based on road and railways – no longer dependent on water Concession Roads are parallel to waterway, and side roads are perpendicular Approx. 2 km apart (4 km square grids)- then divided into lots

Advantages and Disadvantages Pros Excellent soil for agriculture Access to roadways Easier access to land Cons Further from neighbours

Section System in Southern Prairies Found from Manitoba to the Rocky Mountains Land was surveyed before settlement occurred Based on latitude and longitude Baseline is the 49th parallel A family would get one quadrant – approx. 64ha in size

Advantages and Disadvantages Pros Land was well suited for modern farm machinery Cons Soil was less fertile - needed larger farms Resulted in farm consolidation Some distance between neighbours

Issues with Rural Areas Today Movement towards urbanization Movement to commercial farming Technology is advancing farming practices Fewer services provided within rural regions Increased costs for goods and services Less rural areas as a result of urbanization Urban sprawl – rapid and widespread urbanization Rural depopulation – need larger farms so people buy other land, children leave for school and stay in other cities for employment, etc.