Settlement Patterns

There are three main types of settlement patterns.

• Linear settlements arise along a path: river, highway, or coastline. They are shaped by transportation and economic opportunities. The Mississippi River and the Great Lakes have created many linear settlements along their banks.

• Clustered settlements have a large number of people living in a small area, like in a city or a town. There is usually a town or a city centre where population is most dense.

Population tends to become less dense or more sparse the further you get from the center. There are often abundant resources and economic opportunities available. Clustered settlements are often very diverse communities.

Clustered settlements can put pressure on scarce resources and infrastructure if the population grows too fast or to unsustainable levels. Pollution, poverty, crime, and large wealth disparities can arise in clustered settlements..

Clustered settlements can grow out of linear settlements.

• Scattered settlements occur where individuals or small groups of individuals(families or tribes) live a greater distance from each other. This type of settlement pattern is often found where there are environmental challenges (the Arctic or desert environments) or where there is limited access to infrastructure and services. You will find that scattered settlements coincide with rural settings.