(a) Identify the respective functions of urban and rural settlements (b) Discuss three areas of interdependence between rural and urban settlement.

Answer Details

(a) Functions of urban and rural settlements

Functions of urban settlements (towns/cities):

• Administrative - centres of government and public offices.
• Commercial and industrial - centres of trade, banking, markets and manufacturing.
• Service centres - provide higher education, specialist hospitals, transport hubs, and recreation.

Functions of rural settlements (villages):

• Agricultural production - main centres of farming, livestock keeping, fishing and forestry.
• Supply of food and raw materials to the towns.
• Source of labour and preservation of traditional/cultural life; some carry out mining or local crafts.

(b) Three areas of interdependence between rural and urban settlements

• Supply of food and raw materials vs manufactured goods: Rural areas produce food and raw materials for the town, while the town supplies the village with manufactured goods (tools, cloth, fertiliser) and processed products.
• Labour and employment: Rural areas supply workers (migrants) to urban industries and services, and towns provide jobs and wages, some of which are sent home to support rural families.
• Markets and services: The town is a market where villagers sell produce and buy goods, and it provides higher services (hospitals, schools, banks, administration) used by rural people; in turn the rural area is a market for the town's goods.

(Also acceptable: movement/transport links, and the town as a source of ideas, technology and credit for the countryside.)