Urbanization: Choosing Sites

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Urbanization Choosing Sites
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Choosing Sites

• For nomadic communities site selection was not
  lengthy
• A site was chosen based on ease of access to a
  resource
• If a site didnt work out they would just move to
  another
• For an lengthy stay people would take greeter
  care in selection

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• After agriculture developed the following site
  characteristics became important
• Good water supply
• Fertile soil
• A mineral reserve
• Flat land
• Moderate climate
• Prior to inter-village trade a villages location
  relative to other villages was unimportant
• People would only worry about another village if
  the other village would compete for resources

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• After inter-village trading situation
  characteristics became much more important
• Without vehicle or horses trade would only take
  place between villages within reasonable walking
  distance
• A villages location relative to other villages
  for trading purposes was crucial
• The more traders a village could service the more
  successful a village would become
• This is a fundamental principle for every trading
  center even today

5

• Factors for choosing a site vary considerably
• Based on needs and wants
• A fishing community needs easy access to fishing
  sites
• A trading community needs to be in a good
  location relative to other villages
• Plan for the future
• As a population ages its needs change
• Factors for a communities survival change with
  time

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Activity 15

• Please read p.321 322 on Choosing sites.
• What is the difference between site
  characteristics and situation characteristics?
• Please complete question 7 on p.329

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Reference

• Corbin, B. et al (2000). Global connections.
  Oxford Press, Ont.