IGCSE Geography: Unit 1.5 – Settlements (Rural and Urban) and Service Provision

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About Course

This unit explores the patterns, growth, and functions of rural and urban settlements. You will learn how physical (e.g., relief, soil, water) and human factors (e.g., transport, resources) influence where people live and the services they use.

Key Learning Points:

– Understand dispersed, linear, and nucleated settlement patterns
– Describe and explain the site, growth, and function of settlements
– Explore the hierarchy of settlements and services (high, middle, low order)
– Learn about sphere of influence and threshold population

 Includes: Animated videos, interactive quizzes, and real-world case studies.

Case Study: Settlement and service provision

  • Kibwezi, Eastern Kenya – Nucleated rural settlement with farming and local services
  • Guadalest, Valencia, Spain – Nucleated rural settlement with tourism and local services

📝 Exam Practice: Tackle structured exam questions with model answers for:
– 1 mark (skills and definitions)
– 2–3 marks (short explanations)
– 4 marks (description using map/photo resources)
– 5 marks (developed explanations using examples

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What Will You Learn?

  • Identify dispersed, linear, and nucleated settlement patterns
  • Recognise real-world examples using maps and aerial images
  • Apply your knowledge to answer map skills and exam-style questions
  • Build long-term memory with interactive quizzes and animations

Course Content

What are the three main types of settlement pattern?
In this lesson, you will learn about the three main patterns of settlement: dispersed, linear, and nucleated. You will explore the features of each pattern, how to recognise them on maps, and the physical and human factors that influence their development. Includes case study examples, interactive activities, and exam practice.