Growth of settlements

Growth of settlements

Definition:

• Growth of settlements refers to the increase or expansion of areas where people live and engage in economic activities.
• This growth is dynamic, changing over time due to various factors.

Factors that Lead to Growth of Settlements

Physical factors

1. Climate

   • Areas with insufficient rainfall are sparsely populated due to unsuitability for agriculture.

2. Soil

   • Fertile soils with adequate rainfall attract settlements because they are good for farming.

3. Topography

   • Gentle slopes are preferred due to good drainage.
   • Flat or waterlogged areas are avoided due to flooding risks.

4. Availability of Water

   • Areas with clean water sources (rivers, springs) attract more people and livestock.

5. Availability of Land

   • Growth is limited in areas with scarce land, but expands in areas with abundant, suitable land.

6. Natural Resources

   • Presence of resources like minerals and fish draws settlements.

     • Example: Mwadui (Shinyanga) and Nyamongo (Tarime) due to mining.

7. Vegetation

   • Dense forests hinder settlement due to difficulty in clearing land.

8. Pests and Diseases

   • Areas free from pests and disease vectors attract more settlements.
   • Areas with mosquitoes, tsetse flies are generally avoided.

Human factors

1. Historical Factors

   • Events like slave trade and tribal wars discouraged settlement growth.

     • Example: East Africa's history of slave raids.

2. Political Factors

   • Civil wars reduce population and hinder settlement.

     • Example: Eastern Congo, Rwanda, Burundi, northern Uganda, South Sudan, Somalia.

3. Economic Factors

   • People settle in areas with economic opportunities like jobs and trade.
   • Fertile lands lead to agricultural and settlement growth.

4. Cultural Factors

   • Cultural beliefs may restrict settlement in otherwise productive areas.

Urbanization

1. Urbanization involves increasing the urban population by making an area more urban or town-like.
2. It occurs as a larger portion of the population moves to towns.

Causes of Urbanization

1. Availability of employment, e.g., trade and industry.
2. Availability of social services.
3. Shortage of employment opportunities in rural areas.
4. Overpopulation in rural areas.
5. Low level of education and limited use of modern contraceptives.
6. Natural increase in birth rate in urban centers.

Merits and Advantages of Urbanization

1. They are centers for changes, e.g., modernization and fashion.
2. They are centers for commerce.
3. They attract greatly tourists from different parts of the world.
4. They are importing and exporting centers.
5. They are centers for manufacturing industries.
6. Most urban centers are administrative areas.
7. There is good provision of social services.
8. They are centers for cultural change.

Problems Associated with Urban Growth (Urbanization)

1. Rise of transport problems, e.g., traffic congestion.
2. Presence of unplanned houses.
3. Lack of enough water supply leading to serious diseases.
4. Shortage of social services, e.g., schools, health centers, etc.
5. Overcrowding leading to crimes such as prostitution, robbery and theft.
6. Rural-urban migration leading to scarcity of labor in rural areas.
7. Environmental deterioration.

Ways of Overcoming Problems Associated with Urban Growth

1. Emphasizing family planning programs.
2. Improvement of rural areas, e.g., employment opportunities, improve social services.
3. To educate people on the dangers caused by rapid population growth.
4. Provision of adequate social services in rural and urban areas.
5. Improvement of the living standards of the people.
6. Maintenance of the cleanliness of the environment.
7. Population control.
8. Enforce laws to control unpleasant settlement.