Settlement Patterns Research Articles

Within the Range of the Watchtowers: Nature and Purpose of Late Bronze Age Hilltop Buildings in the Blagoevgrad Basin, Southwestern Bulgaria

Abstract The Struma/Strymon River valley, due to its key geographical position, carving a corridor in mountain massifs, served as a natural communication route between the north: south-eastern and central Balkans and further on – Central Europe, and the south: the coast of the Aegean Sea. The lack of detailed studies of the settlement pattern have not allowed for complete characterization of its role in the cultural contacts of prehistoric communities. Fortunately, this state of research is changing, due to the carrying out intensive field surveying, and recording of archaeological sites. As a result of it, evidence of the flourishing of settlements in the Late Bronze Age and the transition period between the Bronze Age and the Iron Age were recorded. In addition to flat settlements, “atypical” sites were also identified – called the Kamenska Chuka-type, named after the first discovered site of this type, located in naturally defensive and hard-to-reach places with a wide observation views. From the very moment of discovery, researchers have been speculating about the functions of these archaeological sites. The aim of this article is to attempt to explain some issues – nature and purpose related to Kamenska Chuka-type sites and verify the theses put forward by researchers of the topic, using geographic information system (GIS) technology and freely available spatial data, combining them with traditional archaeological data.

New insights into complex social organization in the southern Caucasus – Late Bronze Age–Early Iron Age settlement patterns in the Shiraki Plain (southeast Georgia)

Abstract. Due to its location between Mesopotamia and the Eurasian steppes, the southern Caucasus occupies a distinctive place in Old World archeology. While several local areas in the South Caucasus have shown a complex social organization with fortified structures during the Late Bronze Age and Early Iron Age (LBA–EIA), the Shiraki Plain (southeast Georgia), despite its immense potential, has yet to be examined in a regional context. The presented research aims to conduct an initial multi-stage landscape archeological survey over the Shiraki Plain in order to reveal the LBA–EIA fortified settlements of previously identified Didnauri and Nazarlebi types. The authors use remote sensing, photogrammetry, and terrestrial survey methods to investigate selected areas. The results demonstrate the density and complexity of the massive, fortified structures spread over both the plain and neighboring ridges. Their spatial distribution suggests the idea of a well-organized defensive system adapted to the landscape, which in turn is discussed in a broader regional context.

Site Settlement Patterns During MIS 3 in the Southeast of France: the Lithic Assemblages of Two Phases of Occupation (Levels 4.1 and 4.2) at the Abri du Maras

Site Settlement Patterns During MIS 3 in the Southeast of France: the Lithic Assemblages of Two Phases of Occupation (Levels 4.1 and 4.2) at the Abri du Maras

Living in the Mountains. Settlement patterns in Northwestern Iberia during the Palaeolithic period

Living in the Mountains. Settlement patterns in Northwestern Iberia during the Palaeolithic period

Conserving Continuously Evolving Cultural Landscapes of Vernacular Settlements: Insights from the Village Nirmand, Himachal Pradesh, India

Hill settlements have emerged and evolved respecting the given condition of Nature. The elements of the settlement pattern reflect the tenets responding to the socio-cultural-geographical context. The scientific and technological adaptations, innovations, and creations address culture-specific physical and psychological needs. The historical hill settlement of village Nirmand in Himachal Pradesh, India exhibits components of its origin and evolution. The settlement pattern, neighbourhood clusters, and house forms of the village are filled with religious significance, sensitivity towards local materials, technology, climateresponsive solutions, and architectural details. The living indigenous settlements have sustained and evolved over many years. However, with rapid urbanisation and changes in living patterns, the settlement is losing its value. The paper investigates ways to retain the authenticity and integrity associated with indigenous living hill settlements against the changing dynamics. This research employs the empirical research method. Before the field visit, secondary data collection was conducted to establish historical background. The fieldwork has been conducted periodically to understand patterns of change in the settlement. The research method involves an ethnographic approach to decipher the socio-cultural attributes of the community. During the field visit, the documentation of architectural components, mapping of neighbourhoods, community interaction, stakeholders' consultation, and visual documentation were conducted. The collected data has been analysed further to synthesise findings. Findings indicate that the patterns of change have accelerated due to urbanisation. The expansion of the settlement away from its centre, and the increase in the use of modern materials and construction techniques are threatening the authenticity of the settlement. The research concludes that the dynamics of issues both, natural and man-made are threatening the values associated with the settlement. Unless urgent actions with sensitivity toward Nature, culture, and community are undertaken, the settlement might lose its integrity.

Perkembangan Pola Permukiman Tradisional Berbasis Kearifan Lokal

The development of Jayapura City as the capital of Papua Province has grown into a region very rapidly from being a modern city. The classification of areas in Jayapura City is included in the heterogeneous area group where the types of population come from various tribes and regions that live in Jayapura City. The city of Jayapura has land and sea areas with different areas, and has residential characteristics as a traditional village. The settlements of Kampung Enggros and Kampung Tobati are located around the coast of Yotefa Bay, including in the South Jayapura District and Abepura District of Jayapura Municipality, where the community builds their settlements above sea water. One thing that residents will face is the relationship between humans and the places where they live, which cannot be separated from nature. The research methods used to achieve the objectives of this research are comparative analysis and qualitative methods. The comparative analysis method displays settlement patterns with comparisons between 2019-2023 in the form of images. Qualitative descriptive analysis method by presenting actual settlement development problems in the field in the form of pictures. The research results show that there are 3 factors for settlement development in Enggros and Tobati Villages, namely, Community, Protection and Network. Society is changing from traditional to modern, for example traditional houses become modern houses that keep up with the times. The network turns into a spatial structure in a pattern that is influenced by the economic aspects of indigenous communities. The main thing is natural factors because in the general view of indigenous Papuans, what is meant by their home is the natural surroundings where they can live.

Understanding the global subnational migration patterns driven by hydrological intrusion exposure

Amid the escalating global climatic challenges, hydrological risks significantly influence human settlement patterns, underscoring the imperative for an in-depth comprehension of hydrological change’s ramifications on human migration. However, predominant research has been circumscribed to the national level. The study delves into the nonlinear effects of hydrological risks on migration dynamics in 46,776 global subnational units. Meanwhile, leveraging remote sensing, we procured globally consistent metrics of hydrological intrusion exposure, offering a holistic risk assessment encompassing hazard, exposure, and vulnerability dimensions, thus complementing previous work. Here, we show that exposure is the primary migration driver, surpassing socioeconomic factors. Surrounding disparities further intensified exposure’s impact. Vulnerable groups, especially the economically disadvantaged and elderly, tend to remain in high-risk areas, with the former predominantly migrating within proximate vicinities. The nonlinear analysis delineates an S-shaped trajectory for hydrological exposure, transitioning from resistance to migration and culminating in entrapment, revealing dependence on settlement resilience and adaptability.

The 4.2 ka BP event in western Anatolia: Tracing the impact of climatic change

Climatic change has been called for as an explanation on many occasions of societal change. The way climatic deterioration affects societies appears to be straightforward; it causes such alterations in the environment that critical subsistence resources are not anymore available in sufficient abundance. Nevertheless, it is not clear how these alterations can be identified and verified in the archeological record, and there is not an easy way to clarify if modifications observed in subsistence patterns are the consequences of climatic change or other agents. Additionally, there is a number of problems related to paleoenvironmental data that measure the climatic fluctuations, mostly concerning the exact timing of events and their intensity which may not have been the same universally. In this research, we examine the 4.2 ka BP climatic event and its possible effects on western Anatolian societies through a set of published data. We discuss the information we have about the event from available paleoenvironmental data and the gaps in this kind of research. We examine the agropastoral economy from Troy, Küllüoba, Kanlıgeçit, and Karataş-Semayük for possible changes according to a set of criteria that we consider as indicators of responses to aridification. We found diverging strategies that may relate to the different local environments or varying societal structures unique to each site. We consider a partial turn to nomadic pastoralism as an adaptation strategy based on changes in settlement patterns. Finally, we evaluate our findings against other possible explanations since the observed patterns could have had multiple explanations.

Transformation of the Cultural Landscape in the Central Part of the Historical Region of Warmia in Poland

The study analyzed the cultural landscape of Dobre Miasto municipality, which is situated in north-eastern Poland, in the heart of the Warmia region. Cultural traditions that have been passed down from generation to generation and are presently being revived constitute the backbone of Warmia’s cultural heritage. The Warmian landscape comprises several distinctive components, including traditional settlement patterns dating back to the 13th and 14th centuries, as well as cultural values (historical and architectural values, and the level of their preservation) that are being increasingly recognized and contribute to the region’s tourism potential. The growing awareness that the cultural landscape must be preserved for the future generations implies that landscape protection is no longer regarded as a niche problem that is of interest only to experts in the field, and that activities should also be initiated at the local level. The study aimed to specify measures that should be undertaken to protect the components of the cultural landscape and to propose strategies that will not only contribute to the appreciation of cultural values, but will also facilitate the promotion and preservation of cultural landscape components that are gradually disappearing from the rural fabric. This complex approach to the rational management of environmental resources can set an example for other lake regions with clearly defined historical roots and well-preserved cultural values. The resulting guidelines and conclusions can be useful for developing new planning documents and updating and validating the existing legal regulations on planning, development, land use, and protection of the cultural landscape.

4 - Influence of Socioeconomic Activities on House Form and Settlement Patterns Among the Tiv People of Central Nigeria

4 - Influence of Socioeconomic Activities on House Form and Settlement Patterns Among the Tiv People of Central Nigeria

Dynamics of Rural Settlement Patterns in the Yellow River Delta in Response to River Diversion and Avulsion Since 1855

Dynamics of Rural Settlement Patterns in the Yellow River Delta in Response to River Diversion and Avulsion Since 1855

Mapping vertical and horizonal deformation of the newly reclaimed third runway at Hong Kong International Airport with PAZ, COSMO-SkyMed, and Sentinel-1 SAR images

In order to meet long-term air transportation needs, Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) has been constructing the third runway system (3RS) through land reclamation projects since 2016. However, the third runway and taxiway, which were paved in September 2021, suffered from severe surface settlement. Therefore, we attempted to reveal the settlement pattern within the 3RS and analyze the factors contributing to this displacement. Employing the multi-temporal interferometric synthetic aperture radar (MT-InSAR) technique, we utilized PAZ, COSMO-SkyMed, and Sentinel-1 satellite images to extract ground displacements along the radar line of sight. The results show that, compared with COSMO-SkyMed and Sentinel-1 images, PAZ demonstrates superior performance in the deformation monitoring of the HKIA, with more deformation details and larger displacements. The maximum settlement rate derived by PAZ on the 3RS exceeds 110 mm/year. To ensure the reliability of the derived displacements along the LOS, we validated them through cross-validation, comparing the outcomes from different SAR data with data from GPS stations. In order to gain a detailed deformation information, we derived the vertical and horizontal (ground range direction) displacements by utilizing deformation measurements along the LOS of multiple SAR satellites and the geometric information, and the maximum values recorded for vertical and E-W displacements reached 88.31 mm/y and 41.91 mm/y, respectively. Furthermore, our investigation revealed that the significant local deformation observed on the taxiway and third runway was predominantly attributed to various factors including the creep of soft soil, consolidation of filling materials, characteristics of road surface materials, and distinct stages of construction.

Uncovering Spatial Patterns of Residential Settlements, Segregation, and Vulnerability of Urban Seniors Using Geospatial Analytics and Modeling Techniques

We harnessed the analytical power of geospatial analysis and modeling techniques, pioneering a novel approach to studying the spatial distribution of households with at least one senior aged 65 or over, known as senior households (SHHs). We developed and implemented a spatial modeling approach that disaggregates the senior household counts obtained from the U.S. Census block data to residential land parcels. This innovative method models the senior household count on each land parcel, generating a detailed, reliable synthetic microspatial dataset for urban senior studies. Robust spatial analysis techniques are then applied to examine senior household spatial distribution in the context of segregation and access vulnerability in the study area. Our research, conducted in the urban setting of Colorado Springs, provides a deeper understanding of the senior residential landscape and identifies vulnerability. Our research findings are not just academic but also practical tools for planners, policymakers, and community advocates in the city to understand senior residential settlements, segregation, and social inequality. Our adaptable approach can be applied using similar modeling and analysis techniques for different study areas. The synthetic data and its generation approach are valuable resources for future urban senior research, enabling further examinations of different senior residential neighborhood typologies beyond basic demographic and socioeconomic aggregated indicators. They can assist studies interested in analyzing the influence of local factors and neighborhood effects on active aging among individuals, as well as simulating individual senior choices and spatial behaviors. Furthermore, they serve as a comparison baseline for future attempts to develop synthetic senior population data with socioeconomic and health characteristics.

Seasonal and synoptic spatio-temporal variability on larval delivery mechanisms inferred from mussel settlement patterns in the Portuguese coast

Demographic connectivity is the process by which population persistence and growth are affected by the dispersal of individuals. In sessile marine species that disperse by planktonic larvae and form metapopulations, the interaction between oceanographic forcing and larval biology drives the spatial extent and magnitude of larval delivery to suitable habitat patches. The present study investigates the supply of Mytilus galloprovincialis larvae to rocky intertidal habitats located within and around two marine protected areas (MPA) in central Portugal, one located on the exposed coast and the other one in a sheltered bay, using time series of settlement intensity and oceanographic variables. The results indicate that larval delivery at short time scales (days) is strongly dependent on the interaction of upwelling circulation with coastline topography. In the exposed MPA, located on a coastal island, the magnitude of mussel larval delivery is limited by the dynamics of an upwelling front and filament that intercepts the island as upwelling increases and decreases. In the sheltered bay, under an upwelling shadow, the upwelling front promotes recirculation of the water mass, intensifying larval retention and settlement. The results are also consistent with larval transport distances of tens of kilometres and ongoing connectivity between the two MPA. This study highlights the relevance of coastal topography and its interaction with mesoscale hydrodynamics in the modulation of larval delivery, crucial for the persistence of populations and communities and in systematic conservation planning.

The chronology of the human colonization of the Canary Islands

The human colonization of the Canary Islands represents the sole known expansion of Berber communities into the Atlantic Ocean and is an example of marine dispersal carried out by an African population. While this island colonization shows similarities to the populating of other islands across the world, several questions still need to be answered before this case can be included in wider debates regarding patterns of initial colonization and human settlement, human-environment interactions, and the emergence of island identities. Specifically, the chronology of the first human settlement of the Canary Islands remains disputed due to differing estimates of the timing of its first colonization. This absence of a consensus has resulted in divergent hypotheses regarding the motivations that led early settlers to migrate to the islands, e.g., ecological or demographic. Distinct motivations would imply differences in the strategies and dynamics of colonization; thus, identifying them is crucial to understanding how these populations developed in such environments. In response, the current study assembles a comprehensive dataset of the most reliable radiocarbon dates, which were used for building Bayesian models of colonization. The findings suggest that i) the Romans most likely discovered the islands around the 1st century BCE; ii) Berber groups from western North Africa first set foot on one of the islands closest to the African mainland sometime between the 1st and 3rd centuries CE; iii) Roman and Berber societies did not live simultaneously in the Canary Islands; and iv) the Berber people rapidly spread throughout the archipelago.

The spatial pattern of earthquake-affected settlements in rural areas in Bantul

The spatial pattern of earthquake-affected settlements in rural areas in Bantul

Micro-Scale Analysis and Optimization of Rural Settlement Spatial Patterns: A Case Study of Huanglong Town, Dayu County

Optimizing the spatial patterns of rural settlements is crucial for rural development and revitalization. Enhancing the internal spatial configuration of these settlements necessitates a comprehensive understanding of their micro-scale spatial characteristics. This study develops evaluation indicators and methodologies to quantify rural settlement spatial patterns by analyzing their multidimensional aspects. The research utilizes Huanglong Town in Dayu County, Jiangxi Province, as a case study for exploring micro-scale spatial patterns and proposing corresponding optimization models. The research employs remote sensing image processing and GIS spatial analysis to collect data on the study area. The results indicate that rural settlements in Huanglong Town generally form clustered patterns with moderate spatial structure intensity and order. Notably, spatial heterogeneity is observed across the northern mountainous area, the central plain and low hilly region, and the southern hilly area. Based on these findings, the study categorizes rural settlements in Huanglong Town into four optimization models: stable improvement, internal potential exploitation, controlled expansion, and relocation and withdrawal. Each model is associated with differentiated optimization strategies. By integrating analyses of spatial form, structure, and order, this study reveals the intrinsic spatial characteristics of rural settlements, offering a systematic approach to guide their spatial optimization.

Bearing Characteristics and Ground Deformation Computation of Recyclable Steel-Pipe Piles during Pit Excavation

In the context of increasing environmental awareness and the demand for sustainable construction practices, the use of recyclable materials in civil engineering projects has gained significant attention. This study focuses on the bearing characteristics and deformation behavior of recyclable steel-pipe piles during the excavation of foundation pits. Field experiments and numerical simulations were conducted to comprehensively analyze the stress characteristics and surface settlement patterns behind the piles. The results reveal critical insights into the interaction between the steel-pipe piles and the surrounding soil, providing a detailed understanding of the stress distribution and deformation mechanisms. An empirical method for calculating the surface settlement value, induced by foundation pit excavation under the support of steel-pipe slope protection piles, has been proposed. This method improves the accuracy of settlement predictions and enhances the reliability of foundation pit design.

Integration of RS and GIS for Tracing the Rural Settlement Pattern and Household Characteristics Analysis of Mirokhan Town, District Kamber Shahdadkot, Sindh

Integration of RS and GIS for Tracing the Rural Settlement Pattern and Household Characteristics Analysis of Mirokhan Town, District Kamber Shahdadkot, Sindh

Urban growth and stratification: The role of locational externalities

Urban areas that have undergone rapid and recent growth processes can shed light on the forces driving urban stratification and gentrification. This article analyzes how the process of urban growth itself, driven by migration, affects the stratification of the city. The availability of detailed data makes it possible to observe how high-income settlement patterns are driven by attraction (homophily) and repulsion (heterophobia). We consider neighborhood composition (i.e., the number of high-income residents in the vicinity of a given location) as a potential factor that can explain agents' higher willingness to pay in some locations. We propose a model of urban spatial equilibrium with locational externalities, related to preexisting neighborhood characteristics, that can help explain why new rich neighborhoods are located close to existing rich neighborhoods and far from poor neighborhoods. In this model a monopolistic owner will allocate available locations to those agents willing to pay the most, taking advantage of agents' willingness to pay more when locations are surrounded by high-income individuals. The location externality influences the dynamics of urban configuration through attraction-repulsion effects, as new rich neighborhoods are located near other rich neighborhoods and far from poor neighborhoods, thus reinforcing socio-spatial-stratification. This mechanism sheds light on why gentrification occurs only in some areas, while others with a priori better localization do not experiment changes.