(a) Using specific examples, identify any three classes of settlements based on their functions (b) Describe the characteristics of any two of the settlemen...

Answer Details

(a) Three classes of settlement based on function

Settlements can be grouped by the dominant activity or service they provide:

• (i) Administrative/capital settlement - its main function is government and administration. Example: Abuja (also Washington D.C.).
• (ii) Industrial/manufacturing settlement - dominated by factories and manufacturing. Example: Aba or Kano (also the mining town of Jos).
• (iii) Commercial/market settlement - centred on trade, markets and business. Example: Onitsha (also Lagos as a great commercial centre).

(Other acceptable classes: port/harbour settlement such as Port Harcourt; religious settlement such as Mecca; educational settlement such as a university town; tourist/resort settlement; agricultural/rural settlement.)

(b) Characteristics of two settlement types

1. Administrative settlement (e.g. Abuja)

• It houses government offices, ministries, the seat of the executive, legislature and judiciary, and embassies.
• It is usually well planned with good roads, modern buildings and public utilities.
• Its working population is dominated by civil servants and administrators, and it attracts related services (hotels, banks).

2. Commercial/market settlement (e.g. Onitsha)

• It is dominated by large markets, shops, warehouses and financial institutions.
• It has a high daytime population and heavy traffic of buyers, sellers and goods, often at a route or river junction (nodal point).
• Its people are mainly engaged in buying, selling and transport services, and it usually has a dense, congested central business area.