Settlement Size Research Articles

Residential Segregation and Living Conditions. An Analysis of Social Inequalities in Catalonia from Four Spatial Perspectives

Spatial inequalities in living conditions have traditionally been attributed to geographical location, the opposition between urban and rural settings or the size of settlements. Accordingly, the geographical literature has used these oppositions to explain not only differences in access to education, work and services but also diversity of lifestyles, beliefs and even political attitudes. In recent decades, however, urban areas have extended their scope, urbanization has become more dispersed, territories have become more interdependent and spatial hierarchies have tended to weaken. At the same time, social inequalities have become more marked, as manifested spatially by residential segregation. This article puts forward the thesis that residential segregation constitutes a considerably better explanatory factor currently for the elucidation of social inequalities and differences in living conditions in regional spaces than geographical location, the urban/rural divide or the size of settlements. A set of key indicators in the population of residents in Catalonia (level of education, socio-economic position, risk of poverty, self-perceived health and life satisfaction) are therefore analyzed from various spatial perspectives to explore this argument and evaluate each indicator’s explanatory potential. The main results seem to confirm the hypothesis that the most striking spatial inequalities are associated with residential segregation.

Agriculture, the Environment, and Social Complexity From the Early to Late Yangshao Periods (5000–3000 BC): Insights From Macro-Botanical Remains in North-Central China

In northern China, the Yangshao cultural period (5000–3000 BC) was a critical timespan in the establishment of agricultural economies and the emergence of social complexity. We present the results of archeobotanical analysis from 58 soil samples collected from 12 recently investigated sites located in the Luoyang Basin, and recovered 5290 carbonized plant remains from 9 sites dating to the Late Yangshao period. We compared our novel dataset with previous archeobotanical date, compiling a total of 196 samples from 58 sites in central and western Henan Province. During the Early Yangshao period (5000–4200 BC), a nascent, extensive agricultural economy based primarily on broomcorn millet, with lesser foxtail millet and rice, was developing in small settlements (<0.2 km2) in the loess tablelands and valleys of western Henan province. However, the population pressure—rather than environmental degradation—drove the “foxtail millet-broomcorn millet substitution” during the Middle Yangshao period (4200–3500BC). The intensive agriculture based mainly on foxtail millet facilitated the development of social complexity in the region, as demonstrated by the emergence of size-graded agricultural settlements of medium (0.2–0.6 km2) and large (> 0.6 km2) scale. Notably, millets tend to be less ubiquitous in these larger settlements compared to smaller ones, with differences in millet ubiquity between sites increasing over time. The local surface hydrology influenced by paleoclimatic changes prompted the spread of agriculture from higher loess tablelands and valleys during the early Yangshao period into more marginal loess tablelands and plains by the Middle and Late Yangshao periods. Rice cultivation is concentrated in valley areas and appears to have been closely tied to environments with better hydrothermal conditions. Our research shows that climatic conditions during the Holocene fostered the development of agriculture during the Yangshao Culture period and that the distribution of settlements throughout this time was influenced by highly localized geomorphologic environments delimiting the distribution of crops. The rise of agriculture promoted the formation of complex and stratified economies in the Yangshao Culture period and it was the intensification and elaboration of these new economic and social systems that led to later transformation in agricultural structures and settlement sizes.

Chemsex and diagnoses of syphilis, gonorrhoea and chlamydia among men who have sex with men in the UK: a multivariable prediction model using causal inference methodology

IntroductionIn the last decade diagnoses of most STIs have risen among men who have sex with men (MSM). Although a significant proportion of this is likely due to increased STI...

Geoinformation and Cartographic Methods in the Research of the Rural Population Dynamics

The article deals with the dynamics of the rural population of Volgograd region for 1969–2010. The source materials of the study were archival statistical data on the population size of villages and rural settlements in 1969 and the results of the 2010 All-Russian Population Census. The main purpose of the study has two components: the study of trends in the change of the rural population size and the spatial analysis of villages and rural settlements with different directions of the population dynamics. The main methods were the geoinformation and cartographic method, combining the possibilities of automated mapping according to classified indicators. The results of the work are two maps describing the dynamics of the population of villages and rural settlements. The author used such methods of cartographic representation as the method of cartodiagrams and the method of cartograms based on the classification of the numeric fields of attribute tables. The design and composition of maps was carried out in ArcGis 10.3 geographic information system. The generalized conclusion based on the materials of the work is the prevalence of population decline trends in villages and rural settlements, the strengthening of this trend in the direction from east to west of the region. Natural and geographical areas with a predominance of the tendency for the reduction of the rural population by 50% or more are highlighted: the coast of the rivers Khoper, Buzuluk, Tersa. An increase in the rural population is observed in the districts – suburban areas of Volgograd, the Volga-Ilovlinsky interfluve. The spatial analysis of the rural population dynamics made it possible to distinguish two zones: the western zone, in which the processes of the rural population reduction are the most intense, and the eastern zone, in which, along with a decrease in the population in a number of villages and settlements, its increase is observed.

Suitability of space utilization of settlement in coastal areas of abeli and nambo sub-district, Kendari City using spatial and non-spatial methods

Land use for settlements needs to be regulated properly so that it is suitable with the city spatial plan by considering ecological balance aspect so that there is no deterioration in the land quality. Environmental damage can also occur because of the pattern of settlement development that exceeds the carrying capacity of the environment such as density, size and shape of settlements. Abeli and Nambo Sub-Districts, cover an area of 43.85 Km2 or 16.40% of the total area of Kendari city. it is a strategic area for urban development because it has a relatively wide location and it is directly facing the Banda Sea. This study aimed to: (1) analyze the level of suitability of land for settlements in the coastal areas of Abeli and Nambo Sub-Sub-Districts; (2) figure out of community perspective in the selecting the location of settlements in Abeli and Nambo Sub-Districts. The study used qualitative and quantitative research methods with descriptive qualitative analysis and spatial analysis. This study consisted of 8 variables namely slope, distance from the coast boundary, distance from river boundary, distance from tsunami prone location, distance from flood location, distance from mangrove ecosystem, sea tide fluctuations, and high ROB flood inundation. The results showed that (1) suitability land in the settlement in Abeli and Nambo Sub-Districts that were included in the very suitable criteria were 2,382.87 Ha or 80.44 %, suitable criteriawere 15.56 Ha or 15.56 %, the criteria for Less Suitable was 114.26 or 3.86 %, and Not Suitable criteria was 4.24 hectares or 0.14 %; (2) Respondents’ reasons for selecting a settlement location were influenced by consideration of house price (11 %) location or access to workplaces and public facilities (34 %), security against natural disasters (19 %), environmental health (21 %), convenience (11 %,) and others (3 %) while the reasons for respondents choosing the location of settlements based on residential Land Suitability were Very Suitable (40 %), Suitable (37 %), Less Suitable (21 %) and Not Suitable (1 %).

Population cluster data to assess the urban-rural split and electrification in Sub-Saharan Africa

Human settlements are usually nucleated around manmade central points or distinctive natural features, forming clusters that vary in shape and size. However, population distribution in geo-sciences is often represented in the form of pixelated rasters. Rasters indicate population density at predefined spatial resolutions, but are unable to capture the actual shape or size of settlements. Here we suggest a methodology that translates high-resolution raster population data into vector-based population clusters. We use open-source data and develop an open-access algorithm tailored for low and middle-income countries with data scarcity issues. Each cluster includes unique characteristics indicating population, electrification rate and urban-rural categorization. Results are validated against national electrification rates provided by the World Bank and data from selected Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS). We find that our modeled national electrification rates are consistent with the rates reported by the World Bank, while the modeled urban/rural classification has 88% accuracy. By delineating settlements, this dataset can complement existing raster population data in studies such as energy planning, urban planning and disease response.

Variability in Forest Visit Numbers in Different Regions and Population Segments before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

In view of the prevailing preferences for health and recreation revealed by previous studies as the main expected benefits of forest visits, the research presented herein focuses on whether such expectations would translate into a significant increase in the number of forest visits (NFV) following pandemic outbreaks. In this context, a Slovak nationwide survey on forests was conducted, with the main objective of casting light on possible changes in NFV as a coping mechanism or behavioral response to the discomfort and severe restrictions stemming from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and the related measures. The survey was administered on a statistically representative sample after the pandemic’s first wave ebbed and restrictions were eased in the summer months of 2020. Collected data were assessed using ANOVA, the results of which supported the importance of forests as places providing opportunities for restoration of mental and physical resources. Forest accessibility as represented by forest coverage and settlement size emerged as a paramount factor affecting NFV rates both before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic and its accompanying measures affected the relationships between NFV and average per capita income, type of employment, and most importantly age, highlighting possible vulnerabilities and disadvantages in certain population segments.

Exploring the heterogeneity in relationship between heat exposure and land development in Mumbai, India: a framework to address urban vulnerability in developing megacities

Informal settlements in developing megacities are often vulnerable to extreme heat and other environmental hazards. Yet, understanding of this vulnerability remains limited due to inadequate attention to the relationships between characteristics of the built environment and land surface temperature. To address this, we focus on the Mumbai region and employ a Geographically Development-Weighted Regression model that can link land surface temperature with datasets that can capture key characteristics of the built environment, particularly formal or informal settlement types and infrastructure quality. We find the existence of spatial heterogeneity in these relationships suggesting that informal settlements are correlated with higher land surface temperatures, especially under low development conditions. We also find that this effect grows with settlement size, and that the growth in these settlements would increase land surface temperature. We conclude with some guidance for planners and policymakers.

Volume change behavior of reconstituted marine clay: effect of initial and leaching pore fluid salinity

Because the salinity of marine clay changes continuously in response to the migration of seawater toward land or freshwater from river to sea, the intrinsic pore fluid salinity of the clay-water system may change periodically. Recent studies indicate that pore-water salinity changes the intrinsic properties of reconstituted homoionic artificial clay. However, the effect of seawater on the intrinsic properties of marine clay is unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate changes in the compression parameters of marine clay for the leaching salinity of seawater with respect to tap water. The results show that ratio $${e}_{0}/{e}_{\mathrm{L}}$$ is more sensitive to salinity than $${e}_{100}^{*}$$ . Although the Iv − log p for all samples at different intrinsic/leaching salinities were located on the intrinsic compression line (ICL); some deviation from the ICL was observed at low-stress levels. In high-salinity reconstituted samples, the osmotic gradient caused the low-salinity water to penetrate the clusters and separate individual particles, increasing the size of intra-cluster pores and settlement during consolidation. The distance between the particles at any stress level was larger than in diffuse double layer theory because of a deviation from the assumed parallel fabric in the theory.

Temperature reduces fish dispersal as larvae grow faster to their settlement size.

As species struggle to cope with rising ocean temperatures, temperate marine assemblages are facing major reorganization. Many benthic species have a brief but critical period dispersing through the plankton, when they are particularly susceptible to variations in temperature. Impacts of rising temperatures can thus ripple through the population with community-wide consequences. However, responses are highly species-specific, making it difficult to discern assemblage-wide patterns in the life histories of different fish species. Here, we evaluate the responses to temperature in the early life histories of several fish species using otolith reconstructive techniques. We also assess the consequences of future warming scenarios to this assemblage. We sampled recent settlers of nine common species across a temperature gradient in the Mediterranean Sea and obtained environmental data for each individual. Using otolith microstructure, we measured early life traits including pelagic larval duration (PLD), growth rate, settlement size, hatching and settlement dates. We used a GLM framework to examine how environmental variables influenced early life-history parameters. We show that increasing temperature results in considerable reduction in the dispersal potential of temperate fish. We find a nearly universal, assemblage-wide decline in pelagic larval duration (PLD) of between 10% and 25%. This was because, with increasing temperature, larvae grew quicker to their settlement size. Settlement size itself was less affected by temperature and appears to be an ontogenetically fixed process. Given current estimates of ocean warming, there could be an assemblage-wide reduction in larval dispersal of up to 50km across the Mediterranean, reducing connectivity and potentially isolating populations as waters warm.

Результати досліджень пізньотрипільського поселення Гордашівка-ІІ на Черкащині

Rescue archaeological excavations at the Trypillia settlement of Hordasivka-II (Zvenigorodka district, Cherkassy region) were started in 1996. This settlement is located at western bank of Hirs’kyy Tikych river, in 2.5 km to the west from the south-eastern edge of the village. It is placed on a part of plateau formed by the creek valley from the north and long cavin from the east. Visual observations indicate elliptic structure composed of a single row of dwellings. Settlement size did not exceed 3 ha. The rectangular-shaped Dwelling 1 excavated in Hordashivka (12.5 x 5.0 m) was oriented from north-west to southeast. It is reconstructed as a house with the lower storey’s floor covered by clay and massive ceiling of the lower storey (= floor of the upper storey). Most of the interior details were found on the floor of the lower storey. These are the fireplace, working space, elevations. Collection of finds is mostly represented by pottery (70% of the assemblage is referred to kitchen pottery and 30% of the assemblage is referred to table pottery). Part of the table pottery is decorated in black monochromic painting. Analysis of ceramics allows dating the settlement to Tripolye CII. Considering the relative and absolute chronology (radiocarbon dates obtained for Sharin III), this site may be dated to c. 3400 – 3200 BC. Materials from Hordashivka are “genetically” linked to post-Kosenovskaya group populations in the Southern Bug and Dnieper interfluve. This is traced by the specifics of the technology of vessels production and their decoration. It is important to admit ceramic influences from Sofievskaya group populations in the Middle Dnieper region. Settlements which are chronologically similar to Hordashivka II in the Southern Bug and Dnieper interfluve are not numerous. Later sites in this area are not known, while Trypillia traditions continued in other regions. Keywords: Hordasivka-II, Late Trypillia (C II), settlements, houses, reconstruction, ceramics, chronology.

Quantitative Measuring Analysis Method and Mechanism of Wear Particle Settlement

The size and distribution of wear particle in lubricating oil, as important numerical information available in ferrography, is one of the key indexes in wear diagnosis. In this paper, a new method for measuring the size and distribution of abrasive particles is proposed. First, all the abrasive fluid is left standing until all the abrasive particles are precipitated to the bottom. Then, the measuring container is inverted and the whole precipitation process of abrasive particles is recorded by magnetic induction instrument. And according to the precipitation analysis of the wear particle, the following results were obtained:1) At the initial stage of the particle settlement, the gravity, the buoyancy and the drag force of the oil achieve balance quickly, the time and distance of the wear particle moving at a constant velocity can be neglected. 2) The settling velocity is related to the diameter and specific gravity of the wear particle as well as the specific gravity and viscosity of the oil, the distribution of the wear particle is proportional to the square of the diameter of the particle, using the magnetic induction technology, the distribution of particle can be measured by settling time for different sizes of wear particles. 3) Measure the wear particle oil directly, there are different sizes of particles settlement in the bottom at the same time, which causes the difficulty in identifying the size of the particle settlement. The particle should be settled first, and then inverted, settling the particle in accordance with the order from large to small, which facilitates the measurement of different sizes of the particles, different times correspond to different sizes of the particles. 4) The bigger the particle is, the more accurate the measurement and counting is, the smaller the particle is, the bigger the error is.

The theory of rank-size distributions in archaeological settlement patterns

Archaeologists of Mesopotamia discovered a four-level administrative and political hierarchy that characterised first generation kingdoms. They used a model developed by geographers to describe settlement size distributions. This paper provides a more complete theory that accounts for all known data.

Warming intensifies the interaction between the temperate seagrass Posidonia oceanica and its dominant fish herbivore Sarpa salpa

Apart from directly influencing individual life histories of species, climate change is altering key biotic interactions as well, causing community processes to unravel. With rising temperatures, disruptions to producer-consumer relationships can have major knock-on effects, particularly when the producer is a habitat-forming species. We studied how sea surface temperature (SST) modifies multiple pathways influencing the interaction between the foundational seagrass species, Posidonia oceanica, and its main consumer, the fish Sarpa salpa in the Mediterranean Sea. We used a combination of a field-based temperature gradient approaches and experimental manipulations to assess the effect of temperature on seagrass performance (growth) and fish early life history (larval development) as well as on the interaction itself (seagrass palatability and fish foraging activity). Within the range of temperatures assessed, S. salpa larvae grew slightly faster at warmer conditions but maintained their settlement size, resulting in a relatively small reduction in pelagic larval duration (PLD) and potentially reducing dispersion. Under warmer conditions (>24 °C), P. oceanica reduced its growth rate considerably and seemed to display fewer deterring mechanisms as indicated by a disproportionate consumption in choice experiments. However, our field-based observations along the temperature gradient showed no change in fish foraging time, or in other aspects of feeding behaviour. As oceans warm, our results indicate that, while S. salpa may show little change in early life history, its preference towards P. oceanica might increase, which, together with reduced seagrass growth, could considerably intensify the strength of herbivory. It is unclear if P. oceanica meadows can sustain such an intensification, but it will clearly add to the raft of pressures this threatened ecosystem already faces from global and local environmental change.

Animal exploitation at a large late Pre-Pottery Neolithic settlement: The zooarchaeological record from es-Sifiya, Jordan

Abstract. The late Pre-Pottery Neolithic B (LPPNB) east of the Jordan Valley marked an unprecedented expansion in settlement size and architectural density, and also witnessed the emergence of new subsistence modes focused on the herding of domesticated sheep and goats. Here, we examine animal exploitation at es-Sifiya, a substantial LPPNB settlement located in the Wadi Mujib, Jordan. Goat and sheep husbandry played a central role in animal-based subsistence at es-Sifiya, mirroring animal exploitation systems used at other contemporaneous settlements located in southern Jordan. Harvesting strategies at es-Sifiya focused on the slaughter of older lambs for tender meat and also moderate harvesting of yearling for more optimal meat production. While female goats were retained into adulthood, evidence for dairy exploitation in harvesting profiles is ambiguous. The delayed kill-off of sheep compared to goats at es-Sifiya, also practised at other LPPNB settlements east of the Jordan Valley, may reflect meat storage “live on the hoof” or preservation of valuable animals newly introduced to the region. The very low frequencies of gazelle at es-Sifiya compared to other LPPNB settlements may reflect increased predation pressure by human hunters or a population depression caused by increased competition for graze and browse with domesticates. Altogether, the zooarchaeological data from es-Sifiya further demonstrate rapid intensification of caprine herding associated with the initial translocation of domesticated sheep and goats to regions east of the Jordan Valley hypothesised for the late 8th-early 7th millennium BC.

Direction, ontogeny, and mechanism of the temperature-size rule operating in a large marine crab, Chionoecetes opilio

Abstract The classic temperature-size rule (TSR) states that ectotherms mature smaller in warmer than in colder conditions; the reverse TSR is the opposite response. We combined field observations with laboratory experiments and published information to synthesise the response of snow crab (Chionoecetes opilio), a marine brachyuran with determinate growth, to temperature. Size at onset of physiological maturation/maturity and after terminal moult (TM) were positively related to temperature, thus indicating the reverse TSR. Moult increment varied little with temperature, but crabs were larger at instar in colder than in warmer water due to an initial difference in settlement size that propagated to higher instars, suggesting classic TSR prior to settlement. The pattern of increasing TM size with temperature was caused by crabs moulting more times before TM in warmer than in colder water. Intermoult period (IP) declined exponentially with temperature, and lower instars were more temperature sensitive than higher instars. Temperature effects on IP were strong enough to explain changes in size and instar number at TM under a possible time-invariant maturation schedule. Skip moulting was observed in the smallest crabs reared in the laboratory and resulted in high mortality. The reverse TSR in snow crab seems to be adaptive to coping with ectotherm predation.

Urbanization beyond the Metropolis: Planning for a Large Number of Small Places in the Global South

How are urban population and its growth distributed across urban settlements of different sizes? In the Global South, this is a critical planning question, yet its answer is muddled by contradictory claims in the literature and inconsistent data. Using a new dataset measuring urbanization from 1975 to 2015, we find that urban populations in the South are less concentrated in megacities than in the North—contrary to conventional wisdom. Given an explosion in the number (not simply size) of urban settlements in the South, we suggest reviving the concept of “barefoot planning” as an approach for empowering communities beyond the metropolis to shape the urbanization process.

Adherence to safety and self-isolation guidelines, conspiracy and paranoia-like beliefs during COVID-19 pandemic in Poland - associations and moderators

BackgroundDue to coronavirus pandemic, governments have ordered a nationwide isolation. In this situation, we hypothesised that people holding conspiracy beliefs are less willing to adhere to medical guidelines. Furthermore, we explored what possible factors may modify relationships between conspiracy, paranoia-like beliefs, and adherence to epidemiological guidelines. Also, we examined the prevalence of different coronavirus conspiracy beliefs. MethodsTwo independent internet studies. Study 1 used a proportional quota sample that was representative of the population of Poles in terms of gender and settlement size (n=507). Study 2 employed a convenience sample (n=840). ResultsCoronavirus conspiracy beliefs are negatively related to safety guidelines. Mixed results suggest that paranoia-like beliefs are related negatively to safety guidelines. Prevalence of firmly held coronavirus conspiracy beliefs is rare. Nevertheless, certain percentage of participants agree with conspiracy beliefs at least partially. Coronavirus related anxiety, trust in media, and internal motivation to isolation moderate the relationship between conspiracy beliefs and adherence to safety guidelines. Paranoia-like beliefs partially mediate between boredom and conspiracy beliefs. ConclusionsConspiracy beliefs concerning coronavirus are present in the population and are negatively related to adherence to safety guidelines. Conspiracy beliefs originate partially from boredom and paranoia proneness. Certain factors – trust in media and internal motivation to isolation – are potentially worthwhile to address to enhance adherence to safety guidelines. Non-probabilistic sampling suggests caution in interpretation of the present findings.

Planning ecotourism based on GIS in Gowa South Sulawesi

The main objective of this study is to identify and prioritize the potential ecotourism sites using Geographic Information System (GIS) in Distric Gowa South of Sulawesi. This study identifies the following factors as indicators of suitability within land ecosystems: landscape/naturalness, wildlife, topography, accessibility and community characteristics. The evaluating process for ecotourism site conducted based on eight chosen criteria including land use/cover, reservation/protection, species diversity, elevation, slope, proximity to cultural sites, distance from roads and settlement size. Those factors were selected according to the professional expert’s opinions. GIS plays a crucial role in ecotourism planning. Aplication GIS –Base proposed was useful to identify ecotourism sites by linking the criteria deemed important with the actual resources of Gowa District.

Being Enclosed as a Lifestyle: Complex Neolithic Settlements of Eastern Croatia Re-Evaluated through Aerial and Magnetic Survey

Archeological excavations and field survey of Neolithic sites during the last 100 years have formed a certain framework within which we developed an interpretation of Neolithic life in this area. Even though researchers have stressed the importance of sites, region, or period in their publications, most of the results revealed very modest remains of Neolithic settlements, too small or too scarce to provide insight in settlement size, organization, and other aspects of life. A combination of non-destructive methods of research is proving to be a more effective means of Neolithic site detection and interpretation. Here, we present the sites Gorjani-Kremenjača, Koritna-Pašnik, Gat-Svetošnice, Ivanovac-Korođvar, Klisa-Groblje, and Brdo, whose size and shape were defined through a combination of the analysis of aerial and satellite imagery and geomagnetic survey. Experience in combined research strategies will help us in our efforts to define parameters in recognizing regularities in the remains of settlement organization visible only from the air. Our results showed a complex network of densely populated settlements with elaborate internal organization and infrastructure varying in size from 10 to 50 ha. All settlements were surrounded by at least one set of ditches. Their internal organization was complex and suggests dense habitation. Many sites have several ditched spaces organized in complex systems. Obtained data and results provide a comprehensive review in a wider European context.