Meaning of rural settlement: The economy of rural settlements is dependent on primary occupation, like agriculture, animal rearing, wood – cutting, fishing, mining and gathering of forest produce. Hence, rural settlements are mainly based on land utilisation. Rural settlements try to avoid modernisation as they have a closely knit social organisation and human values. In rural settlements, social values are always kept above individual values.
Type of rural settlements: Rural settlements are divided on the bases of number of houses and distance among them.
Generally, four types of rural settlements are found:
1. Dense or clustered settlement: Dense rural settlements always develop in fertile plains and regions having flat surface terrain and sufficient water availability. The houses are built close together and the entire village is inhabited densely.
2. Isolated or scattered settlements: The houses in this settlement have distance between each – other and agricultural land lies within them, so this type of settlement is called scattered settlement.
3. Mixed settlement: This is a stage between dense and scattered settlements. This type of settlement is a result of rapid increase in houses due to rapid increase in number of families as well number of people. Instead of environmental reasons, family reasons are responsible for it.
4. Old or palli settlement: The house of this type of settlement are built apart from one another but located in the same colony. People from different castes live in different parts of colony.
Pattern of Rural Settlements: The pattern of rural settlements are defined by natural factors, historical factors, socio – cultural factors, transportation routes and religious places. In these, linear, arrow, triangular, rectangular, radial, circular, star – shaped, irregular, ladder – shaped, bee – hive, haphazard and spider – shaped patterns are seen.
Problems of Rural Settlements: Very common problems of rural settlements include lack of transportation facilities, lack of fresh and clean drinking water, lack of healthcare and medical facilities, lack of power and energy supply, lack of employment opportunities, lack of proper education, lack of communication facilities, etc.
