Settlement part 2

Functions of nucleated settlements Portumna – recreational function Foynes – port settlement Killaloe – residential function and a recreational centre Birr – market town

Functions of nucleated settlements Case study: Limerick City – a multi-functional urban settlement Defence function The Vikings built a defensive settlement. The Normans later developed the settlement by constructing a defensive wall around the city. Market function Many main roads meet in Limerick so it has become an important route focus. The city grew as a market centre selling produce from the fertile agricultural land of the Shannon Basin. Ecclesiastical function The Normans founded St Mary’s Cathedral in 1168. Since then, Limerick has had an important ecclesiastical function. See OS map of Limerick city on p. 294.

Functions of nucleated settlements Settlement in the Rhine River Basin Köln – multi-functional settlement Rotterdam – one of the largest ports The Ruhr cities, e.g. Essen, Dortmund – resource-based settlements Rüdesheim – recreation centre Basel – industrial centre

Functions of nucleated settlements Case study: Köln – a multi-functional urban settlement Köln is a multi-functional settlement. Market function Köln city is situated on a bridging point on the River Rhine. It is a major nodal point where many roads and railway lines meet with many shops, financial services and businesses. Port function Köln is one of the biggest river ports in Europe where cargo can easily be distributed to other parts of Germany and Europe.

Functions of nucleated settlements Case study: Köln – a multi-functional urban settlement Recreational function Köln has a large historic town centre and medieval architecture.

The Influence of Resources & Terrain on Settlement The following factors influence where towns and villages develop. 1. Altitude – Little settlement occurs in upland areas. They are too cold, wet, and windy. It is also too difficult to build in the mountains. 2. Rivers – Rivers attract settlement. In the past they were important for water, transport, and food. Fertile soil is also found alongside many rivers which is good for farming. Many towns also developed at bridge points. 3. Land Quality – Fertile land attracts settlement. This is why more people settled in the south and east of Ireland. The land is less fertile in the west.

The Functions of Nucleated Settlements Nucleated settlements (towns and villages) provide many different functions to the people who live there. Settlement type Function Village Small range of services, groceries, petrol, church, school. Market More services, banking, supermarket, clothes shops Defensive Began on easily defended sites. Castle or ruins remain. Resource based Town develops around a coal mine, or other mineral mine. Port Town developed at a port or docks. Residential People live there but travel to nearby city to work each day. Recreational Town developed around beach or other leisure facility. Ecclesiastical A religious function, caters for people’s spiritual needs.

Settlement in a River Basin – The Shannon Many towns have developed along the course of the River Shannon. These towns developed for many different reasons. For e.g. Foynes is a port settlement. Athlone started as a defensive settlement. Clonmacnoise started as an Ecclesiastical settlement. Killaloe has a leisure function for boating activities in Lough Derg.

Different Functions of Limerick City Limerick began as a defensive settlement. The Vikings settled in Limerick. The Normans settled there later and built King John’s Castle. Limerick later developed into a market town. It grew as a bridge point of the River Shannon. It became a route focus. Limerick’s port also helped the town to grow as a market town. Limerick has many functions today. It has an important residential function with many suburbs around the city centre. It also has an important educational function with 3 third level colleges.

Settlement in a River Basin – The Rhine The River Rhine is one of the busiest and most important rivers in Europe. It is used to transport huge amounts of goods into Europe. Many large towns and cities have developed along the course of the Rhine.

Change in Function Over Time - Navan

Change in Function Over Time - Navan Settlements may change their function over time. Navan first developed as a market settlement. In the 1970’s Navan also became a resource-based settlement when the largest lead and zinc mine in Europe was opened there. This brought new wealth and jobs to the area. The population increased as a result. Navan has also developed a residential function. Many people who work in Dublin live in Navan. They commute to Dublin each day to work.

Population Increase in Navan 1971-2006

Large Scale Industrial Development - Clarecastle Clarecastle in Co. Clare is another example of a town whose function has changed over time. It began as a bridging point over the River Fergus. The Normans built a castle there in the 13th century so the town had a defensive function. It also had a port function. In the 1970’s a large chemical factory opened in the town. This factory brought new jobs to the area and money to the local economy. Clarecastle’s main function today is a manufacturing function.

Large Scale Industrial Development - Clarecastle

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