Local Settlement Research Articles

Centralization or decentralization? A spatial analysis of archaeological sites in northern China during the 4.2 ka BP event

The phenomenon of centralization or decentralization has been widely observed in archaeological research. Studies are usually related to the evolution and dynamics of culture or civilization, but less pertinent to the temporal–spatial pattern and variation of human settlement, especially the insufficient applications of statistics and spatial analyses; also, their relationship with climate change is unclear. In this study, using the one-way analysis of variance (one-way ANOVA) and standard deviational ellipse (SDE) with its parameters and frequency histogram, with thousands (>4,000) of document-based data on archaeological sites (the indicator of human settlement), two pairs of successive cultural types, i.e., Majiayao–Qijia cultures and Longshan–Yueshi cultures in both ends of northern China were compared as cross-regional cases to uncover whether the locations of prehistoric settlements with ended or started ages were (de-) centralized under the impacts of climate cooling and aridification during the well-known “4.2 ka BP event” (4200–3900 BP). The results illustrate that the “inherited” sites become more decentralized. Such a pattern embodies human resilience (including adaptation and migration) for pursuing better living conditions under the circumstances of climatic and environmental deterioration over the mid–late Holocene cultural transition, which provides some implications for the response to contemporary climate change.

Spatial distributions of Tribrachidium, Rugoconites, and Obamus from the Ediacara Member (Rawnsley Quartzite), South Australia

AbstractThe spatial distribution of in situ sessile organisms, including those from the fossil record, provides information about life histories, such as possible dispersal and/or settlement mechanisms, and how taxa interact with one another and their local environments. At Nilpena Ediacara National Park (NENP), South Australia, the exquisite preservation and excavation of 33 fossiliferous bedding planes from the Ediacara Member of the Rawnsley Quartzite reveals in situ communities of the Ediacara Biota. Here, the spatial distributions of three relatively common taxa, Tribrachidium, Rugoconites, and Obamus, occurring on excavated surfaces were analyzed using spatial point pattern analysis. Tribrachidium have a variable spatial distribution, implying that settlement or post-settlement conditions/preferences had an effect on populations. Rugoconites display aggregation, possibly related to their reproductive methods in combination with settlement location availability at the time of dispersal and/or settlement. Additionally, post-settlement environmental controls could have affected Rugoconites on other surfaces, resulting in lower populations and densities. Both Tribrachidium and Rugoconites also commonly occur as individuals or in low numbers on a number of beds, thus constraining possible reproductive strategies and environmental/substrate preferences. The distribution of Obamus is consistent with selective settlement, aggregating near conspecifics and on substrates of mature microbial mat. This dispersal process is the first example of substrate-selective dispersal among the Ediacara Biota, thus making Obamus similar to numerous modern sessile invertebrates with similar dispersal and settlement strategies.

Landform-driven human reliance on rivers in imperial China

Proximity to rivers and flat areas are two of the main factors that determine the location of human settlements. Despite empirical relationships between human settlements, river dynamics and the corresponding landforms, the underlying mechanism remains speculative. Here, we present the first millennium-scale, quantitative temporal analysis of human population dynamics and its relationship with river location and landforms in imperial China across four dynasties (Han – 2 CE, Tang – 742 CE, Song – 1102 CE and Ming – 1522 CE) over the last 2000 years. Our results show less human reliance (measured by the number of people living close to a water course) on rivers for people living in lowland areas, which we interpret to be related to flood risk and the availability of groundwater from alluvial aquifers distant from rivers, used for agriculture. Conversely, people living in mountainous and hilly areas appear to have a stronger reliance on rivers in imperial China. Specifically, behind the strong variations of human-river relation across millennia, we infer a general principle highlighting the role of landforms in human-river interactions. These results shed light on how geomorphology shape settlement and urban patterns, with important implications for sustainable lifeways in riverine environments.

A distributed land cover classification of FP and CP SAR observation using MapReduce-based multi-layer perceptron algorithm over the Mumbai mangrove region of India

ABSTRACT Globally, the rapid loss of mangrove forests often creates long-lasting environmental damage alongside coastlines, mudflats, and river banks. All-weather, physical monitoring of such areas is almost impossible because of inaccessibility to swampy areas and a hostile substrate. Subsequently, conventional field surveys are relatively unavailable to monitor human encroachment in coastal areas like the Mumbai mangrove region of India. In this context, the polarimetric synthetic aperture radar (PolSAR) remote sensing tool becomes a potential candidate for mangrove conservation and management. Since the Mumbai mangrove region of India exists over the extensive land cover, the large-scale classification can articulate the continuous encroachment because of the location of human settlements or activities across this metropolitan coastal city. For this, the traditional algorithms need the essential improvisation to apply for large-scale data analysis, aiming simultaneously at getting the highest decisive and time efficiency. Here, we introduce a shallow learning model of MapReduce-based Multi-Layer Perception (MLP) algorithm to classify the hybrid compact polarimetric (CP) and fully polarimetric (FP) feature space. Even though a shallow learning model of the automated method is easily scalable, it requires a distinctive shallow learnable feature set for better land cover classification. In this effort, this paper investigates the efficacy of derived feature space compared to direct polarimetric measurements of sensors and shows that the shallow learnable feature set is more effective with both CP & FP observations. Simultaneously, the relevancy of the proposed distributed model of MLP is also justified compared to distributed extreme learning machine (DELM) algorithm and provides a practically implementable scaled-MLP algorithm of shallow learning model. Ultimately, this paper comes up with a better polarimetric signature of land types for both the CP and FP datasets, which can be used in an alternative manner as per data availability for a multi-sensor data analysis.

지역 청년층 및 장년층의 정주의사에 미치는 영향요인

Many local governments are making efforts to maintain the local population. Local settlement intention is closely related to the population outflow of local residents. In the sense, the research on the intention to settle in the region has an important meaning. This study compares and analyzes the influence of social factors, cultural factors, health and health factors, and administrative factors on the settlement intention of the youth and the elderly in local areas. For the purpose of this study, the 2018 Daegu Metropolitan City social survey data are used. The results of the study are as follows. First, in the case of young people, it was found that the pride in their regions, satisfaction with medical services, satisfaction with local civil service, and satisfaction with cultural and artistic facilities had an effect on local settlement intention. Second, in the case of the elderly, it was found that pride in the region, satisfaction with medical services, satisfaction with civil service, and satisfaction with welfare policies had an important influence on local settlement intention. It shows that the factors affecting the settlement intention of the local youth and the elderly are different. The results of this study are expected to help local governments provide appropriate policies, systems, and programs for age groups that can help local residents improve their local settlement intention.

Optimal Network of General Hospitals in Slovenia

This article explores how the minimum number of general hospital locations can be determined with optimal population coverage. Due to the increasing financial problems of hospitals and the poor organization of general hospital healthcare, Slovenia is currently working to reform the healthcare system. Defining the optimal network of hospital providers is one of the key elements in reforming the healthcare system. To define the optimal network of general hospitals, the allocation-location model was used, and the maximize attendance model was used as the central method. The chief purpose of maximize attendance model is to optimize the demand attendance with respect to distance and time spent getting to the point of demand. In the analysis of optimal locations and the number of Slovenian general hospitals, we used data on the locations of settlements with their number of inhabitants and data on the Slovenian road network, based on which we defined average travel speeds on the categorized road network. The hypothetical locations of general hospitals and the number of optimally located general hospitals that provide access to the nearest provider were determined in three different time intervals. We found that the same accessibility to hospital services as provided by the existing network of general hospitals can be achieved with only ten optimally located general hospitals within a 30-min time interval. This means that two general hospitals could be rationalized or reorganized, which would bring significant savings in the field of hospital activity, which creates a large loss in the health system in Slovenia.

Understanding the Mental Health Perspectives and Experiences of Migrants to Canada.

Few researchers have explored Canadian migrants' experiences of mental health and service access. We interviewed 10 migrants to Canada from a local settlement organization about mental health and services and 5 organization staff about their experiences supporting migrants' mental health and service access. Our interviews with migrants revealed cultural perceptions of mental health and unmet service needs. Our focus group with staff indicated challenges experienced by migrants and the tension between their openness with mental health difficulties and stigmatization from their cultural communities. A call to restructure existing mental health support for this underserved population is needed.

ANALISIS PENATAAN PEMUKIMAN DI SENTANI KABUPATEN JAYAPURA

The handling of slum settlements has been mandated through Presidential Regulation No. 18 of 2020 concerning the 2020-2024 National Medium Term Plan Development Plan (RPJMN). Sentani City as the center of government in Jayapura Regency also needs to make arrangements for existing slum settlements. This was followed up through the Decree of the Regent of Jayapura Regency No. 188.4/332 of 2020 concerning Determination of the Location of Slum Housing and Slum Settlement in Jayapura Regency in 2020. This study aims to identify and analyze the condition of slum settlements in Jayapura Regency and develop strategies and handling them. Primary data collection was done through direct observation, documentation and field interviews. Secondary data through coordination with related parties, information through the media and related research journals. Data analysis was carried out qualitatively. The results showed that there were 49.09% of houses that were uninhabitable, only 10.38% of drinking water was provided for households, there were 3,655 households that had not been served by electricity, still high house construction and construction without environmental impact analysis and building permit regulations, unavailability of public cemeteries owned by local governments, high cases of land grabbing and blocking, many environmental roads are in a damaged condition, inadequate drainage in residential areas, there are still many lands and lands that have not been certified and land management has not been optimal. The strategy and handling of slum settlements in Jayapura Regency is referring to the Jayapura Regency's 2017-2022 medium-term development vision, potential area of Jayapura Regency, the problem of the uneven distribution pattern of infrastructure and facilities in the Jayapura Regency area and the prospect of developing new residential areas..

Classic Maya Settlement Systems Reveal Differential Land Use Patterns in the Upper Belize River Valley

Land use practices have had important implications for structuring household inequalities and broader political systems in the past. Our contribution examines settlement patterns in relation to political structure, household wealth, ecological productivity and agricultural techniques. Combining settlement pattern data with high–precision soils data, we examine the extent to which different trajectories of polity formation impact the settlement location and land use practices of intermediate elites and commoners. The Classic Maya (CE 250/300–900) polities of Baking Pot and Lower Dover in the Upper Belize River Valley serve as enlightening case studies because despite being situated near one another, the two centers emerged along very different trajectories. Whereas the polity of Baking Pot arose slowly, in tandem with surrounding demography, the neighboring polity of Lower Dover arose rapidly in the Late Classic period (CE 600–900) in an area which was already home to established local populations. Our analysis shows that while Baking Pot had substantial settlement clustering around its epicenter, populations at Lower Dover aggregated around secondary and tertiary centers farther away from the polity core. Analyses also demonstrate that most commoner and intermediate elite residences were situated on the most productive agricultural lands in the region, though some intermediate elite households were situated on hilltops or in border zones with marginal soil productivity for political and tactical reasons. Commoner households were situated on a range of productivity zones reflecting diverse land–use practices which had implications for household wealth. Our case study illustrates the importance of integrating land use practices into our reconstructions of ancient political hierarchies, especially in terms of understanding political strategies and household wealth.

Spatiotemporal development of informal settlements in Cape Town, 2000 to 2020: An open data approach

Informal settlements are a major urban residential form globally yet they are marginalized in planning and policymaking. As part of wider interest in geospatial technologies to inform service provision and settlement upgrading, this study demonstrates the use of freely-available satellite and spatial datasets and accessible remote sensing techniques to track the spatiotemporal dynamics of informal settlements. Focusing on Cape Town over a period of rapid urbanization between 2000 and 2020, this study identified the number, location, and spatial distribution of informal settlements across the city, and the growth and decline in built-up land over time for individual settlements. Key findings include a recent increase in informal land use in Cape Town after a period of decline in the earlier part of the study period, and evidence of the impacts of policy interventions such as settlement upgrading and resident relocation initiatives, including those associated with the N2 Gateway project. By focusing on both the ‘where’ and ‘when’ of informal settlements this study provides important evidence of spatial and temporal dynamics useful for governments and grassroots actors alike, and demonstrates the potential of an accessible method that can be implemented without significant resources or technical expertise.

Analysis of tsunami disaster mitigation priority on urban area settlement

Settlement in coastal areas is at risk of a tsunami disaster. In urban areas, the risk of disaster can be greater than the area behind it. This study aims to analyze the priority of tsunami disaster mitigation based on settlements criteria in urban areas. The data collection technique uses a questionnaire given to experts in the field of disaster mitigation. The research variables consisted of occupancy typology, settlement locations, settlement patterns and density, coastal environment, evacuation routes and evacuation sites. Processing and analyzing data using statistical product and service solution software. The results of the regression analysis obtained that the settlement model Y = 3,055 – 0,410 residential typology + 1,119 settlement locations -0,017 settlement patterns + 1,323 settlement density + 0,040 coastal environment + 0,853 evacuation routes + 0,875 evacuation places. A high correlation was obtained on the location criteria and settlement patterns. Based on the mean value, the criteria for vertical evacuation places have the highest value, so can be recommended as a priority for the tsunami mitigation plan in urban settlements.

Features of joint development of specially protected natural areas and adjacent settlements of the Leningrad region

The article is devoted to the issues of joint development of specially protected natural areas and adjacent small settlements of the Leningrad region. The relevance of the study is dictated by the need to find tools and solutions for urban planning regulation of such settlements for joint balanced coexistence and development with specially protected natural areas. The object of the study is small settlements located in the immediate vicinity of specially protected natural areas of the Leningrad region and under their direct influence. The subject of the study is the peculiarities of the legal regulation of such settlements and their mutual location relative to specially protected natural areas. The study examines the main stages of the development of the network of specially protected natural areas of the Leningrad region, identifies seven types of mutual arrangement of specially protected natural areas and settlements of the Leningrad region: included, excluded, surrounding, overlapping, partially superimposed, adjacent (with a common border), separate. The features of the legal regulation of settlements adjacent to protected areas are analyzed and a number of problems of their joint development are formulated. The types of mutual location of settlements whose urban planning problems are not solved by the existing legislation are identified; possible tools are proposed that contribute to the consolidation of aesthetic and urban-environmental principles for the development of such neighboring territories.

Description of the Transbaikal and the Amur Region in 1681

The article contains the text of the source, described the Eastern Transbaikalia and the Amur River. It was compiled in 1681 in Moscow by the regional administrative office Sibirsky Prikaz, based on the testimony of Siberian Cossacks. Compared to other previously published documentary and narrative sources, this description provides more detailed information about the above-mentioned specific region, including its natural resources, the location of Russian settlements; the number, living conditions and armament of the Russian population; land and river routes, habitats, lifestyle and the degree of loyalty of the local people toward the Russian authorities, about the relationship between Russians and “Chinese people”. The source is stored in the Russian State Archive of Ancient Acts (Moscow) in the collection of documents from Sibirsky Prikaz.

INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY FOR SLUM MANAGEMENT

Based on the 2020 West Lombok Regent's Decree, Gerung District, West Lombok Regency, is not included in the list of slum housing and slum settlement locations in West Lombok Regency for 2020 - 2025. The Gerung District area, West Lombok Regency, is facing several settlement problems. Various problems in the Gerung District area such as building conditions, road conditions, drinking water supply conditions, environmental drainage conditions, waste management conditions, and solid waste management conditions. In addition to physical problems, non-physical problems such as social problems and community economic problems are not that high. The purpose of this research is to get the best concept and program to address this area so that it becomes a slum-free settlement in 2023. This research applies the concept of how best to handle this area so that it becomes a slum-free settlement. The implementation strategy is divided into short-term (2023-2024), medium-term (2024-2029) and long-term (2030-2040) programs. The research method used is quantitative and qualitative research methods. Primary data collection is carried out by direct observation to field locations to obtain information and field problems. Interviews were conducted by selecting respondents based on their position. The types of questions are determined based on the needs of the analysis. The secondary data needed is existing settlement data, BPS statistical data on the condition of the local population, and the RTRW map of West Lombok Regency. Slum settlement standards are set based on the Regulation of the Minister of Public Works and Public Housing of the Republic of Indonesia Number 14/PRT/M/2018. The strategy for managing slum settlements is carried out using the AHP (Analytical Hierarchy Process) method whose goal is to get waste management conditions that have the highest score causing slums and the SWOT analysis methodology to get alternative strategic decisions. This research can be used as material for consideration and input for the West Lombok Regency Government and stakeholders. These results are needed to establish or formulate policies related to infrastructure development to improve the quality of slum settlements, so that the slum-free Gerung District is realized in 2023 and continues. Relevant agencies are expected to make SOPs, carry out periodic monitoring, add competent human resources, activate the website as a media for socialization and outreach as well as a more approach to the community, good coordination with related agencies and other parties in West Lombok Regency as well need to be implemented

Genomic assessment of larval odyssey: self-recruitment and biased settlement in the Hawaiian surgeonfish Acanthurus triostegus sandvicensis.

The gap between spawning and settlement location of marine fishes, where the larvae occupy an oceanic phase, is a great mystery in both natural history and conservation. Recent genomic approaches provide some resolution, especially in linking parent to offspring with assays of nucleotide polymorphisms. Here, the authors applied this method to the endemic Hawaiian convict tang (Acanthurus triostegus sandvicensis), a surgeonfish with a long pelagic larval stage of c. 54-77 days. They collected 606 adults and 607 juveniles from 23 locations around the island of O'ahu, Hawai'i. Based on 399 single nucleotide polymorphisms, the authors assigned 68 of these juveniles back to a parent (11.2% assignment rate). Each side of the island showed significant population differentiation, with higher levels in the west and north. The west and north sides of the island also had little evidence of recruitment, which may be due to westerly currents in the region or an artefact of uneven sampling. In contrast, the majority of juveniles (94%) sampled along the eastern shore originated on that side of the island, primarily within semi-enclosed Kāne'ohe Bay. Nearly half of the juveniles assigned to parents were found in the southern part of Kāne'ohe Bay, with local settlement likely facilitated by extended water residence time. Several instances of self-recruitment, when juveniles return to their natal location, were observed along the eastern and southern shores. Cumulatively, these findings indicate that most dispersal is between adjacent regions on the eastern and southern shores. Regional management efforts for Acanthurus triostegus and possibly other reef fishes will be effective only with collaboration among adjacent coastal communities, consistent with the traditional moku system of native Hawaiian resource management.

Orlando Ribeiro’s work on transhumant pastoralism in north-central Portugal: Guidelines for a research project on ethno-history and archaeology

With very few exceptions, ethnographic data is hardly ever used as a framework for archaeological research in Portugal. However, the systematic work of Orlando Ribeiro (1911–1997) on the traditional forms of transhumant pastoralism in the north-central mountains of Portugal provides a unique ethno-historical framework for studying those practices in earlier times. Combining the abundant field observations and documentary analysis published by this geographer with ongoing archaeological and zooarchaeological research could shed great light on the long history of livestock management in the area. Some of the transhumance variables studied – ranges, itineraries, settlement locations, herd size, duration, community social organization and specific herding practices – serve as research guidelines for future projects. Due to unfavourable taphonomic conditions, zooarchaeological assemblages are scarce and poorly preserved in most of the territory, thus preventing any comprehensive reconstitution of past livestock compositions. This further enhances the importance of Ribeiro’s work.

Inversion and identification of vertical track irregularities considering the differential subgrade settlement based on fully convolutional encoder-decoder network

Differential subgrade settlement plays a key role in the formation of track geometry and significantly affects the running performance of a moving vehicle. This work therefore contributes to the on-line inversion of the track irregularities and the differential subgrade settlement hidden in the track irregularities is further excavated. To achieve the above goal, a vertically vehicle-track-subgrade coupled dynamics model with high accuracy and efficiency is first established by introducing the Green’s function method. The track irregularities are then generated by a probabilistic model and the rail deflections caused by the settlement are also accounted for. The vertical accelerations of the vehicle excited by track irregularities and various vehicle speeds are subsequently derived. On this basis, a 1-D fully convolutional encoder-decoder network is constructed to predict the track irregularities by treating the acceleration data as the network inputs. A total of seven scenarios involving different input variables are investigated and the results show that when the wheelset, bogie and car body accelerations are simultaneously considered in network training, the prediction performance achieves the optimum. Meanwhile, the network robustness with respect to various vehicle speeds and degradation levels of track irregularities is also demonstrated. Finally, a time–frequency unification method is employed to identify the settlement locations and wavelengths from the predicted track irregularities. Two cases are conducted to further illustrate the effectiveness of the presented settlement identification method.

Corinthian capitals from the Hellespontus

The Hellespont area, owing to its key geographical location, played a dominant role in production, consumption, as well as trade contacts between the Black Sea and the Mediterranean during the Byzantine period. Despite the importance of this region, archaeological data from it is rather limited, hindering research on the history of the Hellespont in the Byzantine period. Archaeological surveys have been conducted in the valleys of the Hellespont catchment area in order to determine the location of Byzantine villages and to understand regional settlement patterns. An important group of objects identified as a result of this fieldwork were architectural members. The finds included numerous column capitals and fragments of liturgical furnishings. The present study examines Corinthian capitals, which constitute the most frequently occurring type of column capital, numbering 30 documented examples. All specimens were made from white or gray-veined white Prokonnesian marble. The general aims of research on this material are, firstly, to understand the nature of the now-lost buildings they came from, and, secondly, to contribute information on the location of settlements in the region. The specimens under consideration were identified during field surveys in Çanakkale, as well as during a query in the Çanakkale Archaeology Museum.

Золотоордынские памятники на дне Аральского моря: проблемы адаптации человека к изменению экологии региона

The research described in the paper aimed to investigate the Golden Horde sites in the Aral Sea Basin and human adaptation to the region’s changing ecology. At present, several known settlements at the drained Aral Sea bottom – namely, Kerderi-1, Kerderi-2, and Aral-Asar – testify to the lake’s shallowness during XII-XV centuries. In August 2021, a group of archaeologists from Korkyt-Ata Kyzylorda University conducted a research mission to the location of the former settlement of Aral-Asar as part of the ESERA Project. The results of the study show that Aral-Asar existed for approx. 200 years as a full-fledged economic entity hosting cereal, ceramics and brick productions. In general, the data obtained indicate that environmental changes had led to the desolation of certain cities and development of new lands by humans in the Syr Darya River Delta, including these found at the drained bottom of the Aral Sea.

Settlement land analysis for sustainable economic development in Russia

The largest part of the population of the Russian Federation (RF) is concentrated in settlements. The lands of settlements play an important role in the life of society, fulfilling the function of territorial and spatial basis. Occupying a relatively small area compared to the entire territory, these lands are the place of residence of the majority of the population. The lands occupied by settlements are intended for the location of cities, towns, rural settlements, and real estate objects that ensure the vital activity of the population. Land legislation singles out these lands as a separate category of lands. The spatial and land resources basis of urban and rural settlements consists of territories within the established borders (boundaries) of urban and rural settlements, as well as everything that is above and below the surface of these territories (Article 38 of the Town Planning Code). It should be noted that the inclusion of land plots within the boundaries of settlements does not entail the termination of the right of ownership, land tenure, land use and lease rights to these plots. However, in this case land tax rates are changed. Inclusion of land plots in the boundaries of settlements does not entail termination of the rights of owners of land plots, land users, landowners, and lessees of land plots. In modern conditions, the development of territories of settlements is an important area contributing to sustainable economic development in Russia.