Showing papers on "Human settlement published in 1991"

Settlement mobility and the ‘Middle Saxon Shift’: rural settlements and settlement patterns in Anglo-Saxon England

Abstract: The traditional image of the stable Anglo-Saxon village as the direct ancestor of the medieval village is no longer tenable in view of growing evidence for settlement mobility in the early and middle Saxon periods Indeed, it now appears that most ‘nucleated’ medieval villages are not the direct successors of early, or even middle Saxon settlements, and that nucleation itself appears to be a remarkably late phenomenon

Reflections on the Absence of Squatter Settlements in West African Cities: The Case of Kumasi, Ghana

Abstract: Squatter and spontaneous settlements may have acquired the dubious honour of topping the litany of ills and malformations which are often listed as characterising Third World cities. Almost all the literature on Third World urbanisation and housing appears to present the view that the development of squatter settlements has become an inevitable aspect of Third World urban development and that it constitutes the poor urbanites' response to problems of accommodation shortage, high rents and land acquisition. This paper raises several issues regarding blanket statements on, and stereotyping of, Third World cities. It argues that the so-called squatter settlements which the literature often portrays as characterising Third World cities may not be true of anglophone West African cities. The case of Kumasi, Ghana has been examined with reference to the reasons adduced by Peil to explain the absence of squatter settlements in West Africa. It points out that the reasons offered by Peil may not be tenable in the c...

Humpy, house and tin shed: Aboriginal settlement history on the Darling River

Abstract: This multidisciplinary longitudinal case study of Aboriginal housing and settlement in western New South Wales was carried out during 1986-1989 Anthropological and historical research has been used to study the domiciliary experiences and behaviour of the Aboriginal groups of the central Darling River and surrounding plains Beginning with their traditional use of shelters and camps, the study traces the pattern of cultural change that accompanied a process of forced sedentary living in institutionalized Mission settlements during the period 1920-1950 This history provides the background to a sizeable community of people of mixed tribal origins who were living in self-constructed humpies on the banks of the Darling at Wilcannia in the early 1970s Their domestic lifestyle is analysed in detail using non-recurring data collected in 1970 by two undergraduate students from the Department of Architecture, University of Sydney The data are reanalysed by the researcher to generate culturally distinct design criteria for Aboriginal housing at Wilcannia, and then used to evaluate a series of government housing projects that occurred there in the 1970s and 1980s The case study encompasses the diverse dimensions of Aboriginal housing such as cross-cultural consultation, self-help housing, housing and health, sociospatial settlement planning, behavioural design, post-occupancy problems and housing stock management

Economic Variation of Ancient Maya Residential Settlement in the Upper Belize River Area

Abstract: Regional settlement studies in the Maya area have provided a basis for understanding the importance of subsistence strategies, but have not addressed the issue of how the settlements themselves are differentiated. This article examines Maya settlement patterns of the Belize River area and uses data from residential-unit midden tests to identify aspects of settlement variation. These variations are examined with respect to general landform characteristics. Much of the variation appears to relate to the productive capacity of agricultural resources in the area. This is no surprise, since the ancient Maya were an agrarian society.

Building community organization: the history of a squatter settlement and its Own organizations in Buenos Aires:

Abstract: Building community organization: the history of a squatter settlement and its own organizations in Buenos Aires describes a series of development initiatives in Barrio San Jorge and how these encouraged the formation of a representative community organization and the increasing involvement of residents. The authors who have worked for many years in this settlement reflect on the lessons learnt and what these imply for other community based initiatives. They discuss how to multiply the number of "bottom up" initiatives in low-income settlements, especially those lacking a representative community organization.

Settlement and Agriculture on an Ancient Desert Frontier

Abstract: During late antiquity, large-scale settlement existed in the Negev for almost a thousand years. Comparison with desert settlements in North Africa reveals that the Negev settlement was not unique and that its antecedents were Mediterranean practices. The principal processes that caused the rise, flourishing, and decline of desert settlement are examined. SETTLEMENT in arid areas was neither common nor easily implemented until modern transportation and water-supply technologies were developed. Nonetheless, the central and southern sections of the Negev, located in the southern portion of what is now Israel, were settled for almost one thousand years, from the second century B.C. to the seventh century A.D., under the Nabateans, the Romans, and the Byzantines. The remains of towns, farmhouses, agricultural field systems, cisterns, and wells have impressed travelers and scholars since the beginning of modern research and exploration during the nineteenth century. The most prominent remains are six well-built towns: Elusa, the largest urban center in the region and perhaps its capital, Nessana, Shivta, Rehovot ba-Negev, Avdat, and Mamshit (Fig. 1). These urban centers have been studied by archaeologists, and the history of the Negev has been described mainly in terms of their findings and the few historical records (Gutwein 1981; Negev 1983, 1986). Settlement in the Negev reached its climax during the Byzantine period, from the fourth to seventh century A.D., when most of the buildings in the centers were constructed, large churches were founded, and an agricultural complex, focused chiefly on production of cereals, wine, and olive oil, flourished. The fall of the settlements came as an indirect outcome of the Arab conquest in A.D. 638. During that conquest, the Negev settlements neither were destroyed nor suffered violence. However, the conquest led to the decay of the towns and rural settlements, and they were gradually abandoned during the late seventh and early eighth centuries A.D. (Negev 1986). The settlements in the Negev and their desert agriculture are outstanding features in the history of the region. During no other period was the Negev so densely occupied and populated. The characteristics of this settlement inevitably raise several historical-geographical questions. First, was settlement unique, or was it part of a broad pattern associated with late antiquity? Second, did the Negev settlement scheme originate in the desert, or was it an example of an aspect of Mediterranean life adapted to desert conditions? Third, did the rise, flourishing, and decline of desert settlement stem from * DR. RUBIN is a lecturer in geography at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel. This content downloaded from 207.46.13.128 on Wed, 07 Sep 2016 06:14:16 UTC All use subject to http://about.jstor.org/terms THE GEOGRAPHICAL REVIEW FIG. 1-Ancient urban centers in the Negev. conditions unique to the desert or from external forces generated by colonial and imperial goals? In the balance of this article, I attempt to answer these questions. Previous research has revealed no essential similarity between settlement in the Negev and that in southern Arabia, but close parallels existed between the Negev settlement pattern and those in the North African desert fringes of Tripolitania, Mauritania, and Numidia (Fig. 2). A comparison of the characteristics of the Negev and North African settlements is the framework for addressing the large question of desert settlement and its political-geographical origins. 198 This content downloaded from 207.46.13.128 on Wed, 07 Sep 2016 06:14:16 UTC All use subject to http://about.jstor.org/terms ANCIENT NEGEV SETTLEMENT 199

The Northumbrian settlements in Galloway and Carrick: an historical assessment

Abstract: The Anglian settlements dating from the Northumbrian supremacy in Galloway and Carrick are traced from place-names, church dedications, and supporting historical, topographical and archaeological material. Their grouping reveals three `shires' with some identified boundaries. These territories appear to have co-existed with British occupied areas, presumably under tribute. Medieval place-name forms are listed in an appendix, and appendices also give the corresponding forms of British, Scandinavian and selected Gaelic place-names.

Neolithic and Bronze Age Settlement in Western Macedonia

Abstract: The aim of this paper is to provide an account of neolithic and bronze age settlement in one part of Macedonia: the geographical unit which is defined by the rivers Aliakmon and Axios. The choice of the area as the focus of investigation has been suggested by the hypothesis that geographical zones may form a historical basis for human activity, and cultural zones be identified accordingly with distinct physiographic units. The area selected for research is one such unit forming consecutive basins which are divided into valley systems by means of mountain ranges.The existing archaeological data combined with the results of personal research and original fieldwork are assembled in order to outline the development of human settlement in this part of Macedonia. The catalogue contains ninety six sites. The study involves an attempt to evaluate the nature of prehistoric habitation in a regional context, a study which presupposed some examination of all reported sites, and some study of the history of the landscape. The main issues discussed are the character of habitation patterns and settlement distribution and continuity by period. Finally the specific settlement patterns of the area are compared with patterns observed in neighbouring regions.

People on the Move: Settlers Leaving Ethiopian Resettlement Villages

Abstract: How and why settlers have left resettlement villages in Ethiopia are discussed. As a result of the 1984 famine the Ethiopian government resettled over 1/2 million villagers from drought-stricken regions in the north into more fertile area in the west of the country. Coercion and starvation were not the only factors involved in the settlers motivation to resettle. Some were lured by government propaganda; others -- especially young people -- left their villages in search of opportunities. Estimating that up to a 1/4 of those who resettled have abandoned the new villages it is explained that a clear correlation exists between the settler motive for resettling and their decision to leave. Most of those who were coerced into abandoning their traditional villages or who had arrived at the new camps with unrealistic expectations chose to leave. The settlement environment also influenced settlers decision to stay or leave. In the new settlements the settlers became part of an organized collective. The workers were turned into virtual wage-laborers. Much larger than traditional hamlets the new settlements contained people with different languages and religion. Despite a policy of discouraging settlers from leaving many have returned to their traditional homes or have been absorbed by the local economy in the west of the country. The patterns of resettlement and life at the camps have changed along with the governments recent policy of economic liberalization. It is concluded that organized resettlement has provided an outlet for population pressure and has unintentionally sponsored spontaneous resettlement which conforms with a historical pattern of migration from the north to the south and west.

The distribution and growth of urban settlements in Saudi Arabia

Abstract: This paper examines the distribution characteristics of urban settlements in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia through major dimensions such as settlement regularly, degree of primacy and polarisation at the national and geographic regional levels. The paper points out that the settlement pattern at the national level has transformed from a primate distribution during the pre-plan period ( ). At the geographical regional level the settlement distribution, however, has shown diverse pattern. While the regional settlement distribution of Western and Eastern Region have shown trends of increasing polarisation, settlements in the Northern and Southern Regions are more log-normal in character. This is explained by the increasing growth of small and intermediary towns in the Northern and Southern Regions. The paper concludes that the national trend of decreasing urban primacy, induced by the decentralised national development strategies, is less pronounced due to the absence of a balanced regional investment policy. Since the government expenditure and settlement population growth rates are not related, slow growing primate cities continue to receive a larger share of public expenditure, enabling them to retain their primacy. This calls for a balanced regional investment policy to fully realise the national strategy of regional balance and multi-polar settlement pattern.

A Spatial and Socio-Economic Profile of Urbanization in Southern Africa

Abstract: Because urbanization plays an important role in regional development in South Africa, this article aims at discerning spatial demographic patterns in the total spectrum of urban centres in the country. Making use of the latest census data (1985), a methodology is developed in which demographic cartography, socioeconomic profiles and the informed opinions of local leaders are used to create a new view from a new standpoint. The study area encompasses the Republic of South Africa and the independent States of Transkei, Bophuthatswana, Venda and Ciskei. The approach involves an empirical analysis of the official 1985 population census results for 727 recognized urban settlements, interviews with local decisionmakers, and inspection in loco of the urban milieux discussed. After a description of the overall South African urbanization situation as manifested in the spatial and demographic features of all the region's urban centres taken together, the focus narrows to a presentation of a socioeconomic profile of 57 higher-order centres. This is followed by an extraction of the quintessence of these empirical analyses and by certain substantiating informed opinions. The paper concludes with some thoughts on urbanization prospects. Notes, ref.

El hábitat rural disperso en la Península Ibérica durante la Antigüedad Tardía (siglos V-VII)

Abstract: Although there is a superabundance of documentation on the predominace of the agrupation of the habitats in the Iberian Peninsula during the late antiquity, in the fifth to eighth centuries it is obvious the existence of dispersed settlements. We have found the two types coexisting in certain areas and in others, with its own strongly defined settlement traditions, at times dominate the dispersed habitat model.

Human settlement and land use at Trévelez (Sierra Nevada). A historical-geographical approach

Abstract: Based on written documents of the 16th, 18th and 19th century and on information from a publication of the early 19 70s, as well as on our own field observations, we attempt to describe the evolution of settlement and land use in the territory of Trevelez (Sierra Nevada, Provincia de Granada, Spain), from the end of the morisco period until the present. After the Christian colonization in 1572, a process of extensification took place, which resulted in a type of land use which gave great importance to rainfed cereal agriculture and husbandry of small ungulates. From the end of the 18th century/beginning of the 19th century onward, there are indications of another process of agricultural intensification and diversification, with great importance given to irrigated cultivation. During the past two decades, an abandonment of agricultural areas can be observed, as well as an increase in activities linked to tourism and a certain recuperation of sheep and goat husbandry. It must be pointed out that land use has been submitted to important changes during the past, and that the "traditional" agricultural landscape is of relatively recent origin.

Shelter, settlements, policy and the poor : proceedings of the 8th Inter-schools Conference on appropriate technologies and policies for low-income settlements

Abstract: Report on workshop - training and education, Noelle Houston report on workshop - self-build and community initiatives, Jeremy Raemaekers report on working group - infrastructure, health and services, Adrian Smith Part 1 Policies and institutions: developing institutional capacity for meeting the housing needs of the urban poor - a review of experience in Kenya, Tanzania and Zambia, Carole Rakodi the comparative performance of four institutions - the case of Ismailia, Egypt 1974-1900, Ayman Ismail and Sheilah Meikle confronting institutional perspectives on genuine participation in decision-making - a case from Brazil, Marisa Rezende housing in Mongolia - from tent to high-rise, Roy Darke clearance or rehabilitation - the trends of urban residential renewal in China, Ke Chen tropical cyclones and Island states - a pattern for development?, James Lewis the role of small-scale builders in low-income settlements in developing countries - policies, problems and contradictions, Edmundo Werna the marketization of housing in Eastern Europe - advance or regression?, Natasha Milanovich Part 2 Technologies for human settlements: choosing infrastructural and health interventions in poor urban communities - cost-effectiveness for health improvements, RA Dixon, et al desiging from people - lessons from our ancestors - a cross-cultural analysis of changing house forms in Turkey and Sri Lanka, Aylin Orbasli and Dhananjaya Senanayake small enterprises and employment creation in Rio de Janeiro's low-income settlements - the experience of community enterprise programmes, Bertha Treiger the planning assistance kit - a planning guide for community-based organizations, Nabeel Hamdi aided self-help house building - the case of Siwa oasis, Omar Khattab sustaining settlement improvements - Lusaka, Zambia, Alistair Wray Part 3 Issues and appropriate responses: residential movement and poverty - some implications for the development of spontaneous settlements, Peter Kellett I want to grow houses, or the 762mm (49kg) Galil Assault Rifle as an essential tool in the construction process!, Ross Gilhome supporting settlement design and dwelling design in self-help urban housing in Sri Lanka, Ranjith Dayaratne the health effects of war and urbanization on the poor in Luanda, Angola, Najmi Kanji information needs in construction and housing in the Third World, Charles Choguill and Ana Silva-Roberts

[Environment, health and urban poverty. A perspective for the study of human settlements].

Abstract: Urbanization in Mexico has given rise to creation of unauthorized squatter settlements on the peripheries of large cities. Such settlements are estimated to house about 1/2 of the urban population of Mexico. These settlers share a low standard of housing resulting from lack of employment and low income. Very often large households are crowded into poor quality structures with no running water or sewage disposal. Health consequences are serious. Although precise data are lacking in Mexico residents of squatter settlements generally fall below the rest of the urban population in health indicators. Settlers in these makeshift communities all tend to be disadvantaged but there are significant differences in the health and living conditions of different low income zones on the urban periphery. The relationship between the physical and social environments of squatter settlements and the health of the residents should be analyzed by urban administrators and public health officials as well as by demographers and social scientists in order that solutions be found to existing problems. An integrated focus on the problem will be necessary. A working hypothesis to guide research is that habitat is a principal factor influencing the health o the population and it affects health through a series of processes that can be analytically decomposed. In this multicausal approach health status is the final result of a complex process in which many different factors intervene. A fundamental determinant is that of factors in the general social context including public policy regarding low income housing basic services and health. A 2nd level of determinants is that of underlying factors in the physical and social environment. In squatter settlements housing and services are central elements of the physical environment in which the life of the inhabitants unfolds. The current cholera epidemic in Latin American demonstrates the importance of housing and related variables for health. Social variables affecting health include demographic and socioeconomic characteristics of families. It must also be remembered that conditions of the physical and social habitat are mediated by social practices such as hygienic habits diet use of medications and reproductive patterns.

Agricultural Settlement Schemes

Abstract: In Southeast Asia there has been much movement of people, sponsored or at least encouraged by their national government, to form new agricultural settlements away from their home area. The new area chosen and prepared by that government as a focus of development is always in an otherwise sparsely populated and relatively undeveloped region. Many such ‘new’ areas, almost by definition, are close or immediately adjacent to forests, and throughout the region loss of forests is one of the major environmental impacts of new settlement programmes.