Human Settlement Patterns

Definition

Human settlement patterns refer to how humans choose to organize themselves in geographic areas. They include different types of settlements such as rural villages, cities, suburbs, and urban areas.

Related terms

Urbanization: Urbanization is the process by which an increasing percentage of a population comes to live in urban areas rather than rural areas.

Megacity: A megacity is an urban area with a very large population, usually over 10 million people. These cities often face challenges related to infrastructure, transportation, and resource management.

Gentrification: Gentrification is the process of renovating deteriorated urban neighborhoods by means of the influx of more affluent residents. This can lead to displacement of lower-income residents and changes in the character of the neighborhood.