Question

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What factors are responsible for development of various patterns in a settlement? Give examples.

Answer 1

The factors that responsible for development of various patterns are following:

1. Physical factors:

a. Confluence of the rivers:

1. At the confluence of two rivers, the settlements can grow in all three sides. This settlement has been seen in Triangular pattern.
2.  For example, in the confluence of the Ganga and the Yamuna river, Allahabad city is located where the settlements grew in triangular pattern.

b. Lakes or tanks:

1. Because of availability of water, houses are closely spaced and settlements take shape around a lake. This settlement pattern is known as Circular pattern. 
2. For example, in Punjab and Gujarat, large villages are characterised in this pattern.

2. Social factors:

a. Population:

1. With the development of the settlement, the size of the population also increases. Increasing population leads to haphazard development of settlements.
2. The houses are built as per convenience and the space available.
3. This settlement is known as Patternless Settlement.
4. For example, patternless settlements are found in some cities in India.

3. Economic factors:

a. Roads and Railways:

1. Some settlements occur along a road, railway, canal or river and they have taken the shape of the road or the river. They are straight in line, so it looks like Linear pattern.
2. For example, In India many settlements are found along the highways or roads.

b. Urban planning:

1. Some settlements are in a straight line and such lines are parallel to each other.
2. These days planned cities may take the shape of rectangular pattern. 
3. For example, settlement of Chandigarh city in India is in rectangular pattern.

c. Market:

1. Some settlements grow around a central object or centre like market or administrative centre, etc.
2. This central point plays an important role in development of the settlement around it. This settlement is in Radial pattern. 
3. For example, settlements of Vindyachal in Uttar Pradesh.