Chapter 9: Settlement

Case Study: Limerick Limerick can be used for change in function over time question and for the multifunctional city question. Limericks functions have changed at least three times: 1. Defence: Limerick began as a defensive settlement. Vikings settled here in the ninth century. In the 13th century, it was invaded by the Normans and high stone walls divided the City. The siege of Limerick took place in 1691 and Limericks defensive function ended after the siege. 2. Market Function: Limerick grew as a nodal point/route focus. As a result, it grew as a market town. Limericks port facilities also helped it to grow as a market town. The city has many department stores and shopping centres. 3. Residential Function: because of its many functions, the population of Limerick has increased and it has expanded as a residential centre. This is mainly because of the location of Shannon Airport, its many third level institutions and its growth as an industrial centre and the increase of employment prospects. Shannon town is a new town that has developed as a result of the Growth of Limerick. A large town/urban centre on the Shannon that I have studied: The river Shannon is the largest river in Ireland and flows through several counties. A large urban centre that I have studied is Limerick. Limerick has many functions (multifunctional city): 1. Industrial: Limerick is a major industrial centre in the west. It has major industrial and technological parks. It is a centre of heavy industry including Aughinish alumina located outside of Limerick. 2. Residential: Limerick has a large population and has greatly expanded as a residential centre. This has led to the creation of a new town at Shannon as a result of the spread of Limerick city outwards.

3. Educational: Limerick has a major University and other third level institutions. It is also an ecclesiastical centre with a large cathedral.

Case Study: Cologne-A City on the Rhine that I have studied: The Rhine is one of the largest and most important rivers in Europe. It flows through Austria, Switzerland, Germany, France and the Netherlands. The city that I have studied is Cologne. (KOLN) Cologne is the largest city in the Rhine-Ruhr region. This City has many functions: German Airline. Other industries include car manufacturing and brewing. 2. Ecclesiastical: it has several major cathedrals. 3. Education: It has a major University-Cologne University. 4. Port functions: Cologne is the second largest port in Germany. 5. Transport and communications: Cologne is a nodal point or a route focus for all road and rail networks, linking Cologne to other cities and major urban centres in Germany. 6. Cultural functions: Cologne is a major cultural centre of the Rhineland with many museums and galleries attracting thousands of tourists every year. Case Study: The Irish Road Networks A Transport system that I have studied: Irelands road network: Irelands road network is RADIAL-this means that all main roads run out of Dublin and connect other parts of Ireland with Dublin. This means that Dublin is a NODAL point-all main roads and rail and transport run in and out of Dublin linking it to the rest of the country. Manufacturing towns and industrial estates need good access for trucks that bring raw materials to factories. E.g. M50. The majority of Dublins industrial estates are located along the M50 allowing trucks access without going through the City centre.

1. Industrial: Cologne is headquarters to Lufthansa which is the main

The development of ring roads has also helped the development of industry. E.g. Naas ring road/Millenium park-trucks and heavy traffic can access this area without causing traffic congestion in Naas town.

The development of motorways: In recent years a lot of major towns/bottlenecks have been bypassed. This has helped tourist towns such as Gorey and Rosslare which can be accessed even quicker.

Bridging points: An urban centre that is located at an important river crossing point becomes the focus of several routes. E.g. Dublin, Athlone.

Case Study: EU Airports A transport network that I have studied is air transport in London. Air transport has developed significantly in recent years in London and there are now 5 airports in London-Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton and London City airport. Heathrow is Londons largest airport and in recent years has opened a fifth terminal. Almost 70 million passengers pass through Heathrow each year. It employs over 70,000 employees and over 40 flights touch down per hour at Heathrow. The development of air transport in London has made the city more accessible to tourists and tourism has increased as a result. For example, Londons airports were very important during the Olympics. Case Study-Transport on the River Rhine: Many large urban centres are located on the river Rhine. The Rhine is a navigable river. It reaches into the heart of Western Europe as far as Switzerland. Navigable river: A river that has been deepened and possibly straightened a little so that barges can use it E.G. The Rotterdam Europort Located at the mouth of the Rhine. One of the worlds largest ports. It is Europes largest port. Docks, warehouses and oil terminals liner each side of the river from Rotterdam to the mouth of the Rhine- A distance of 27km. It imports raw materials like crude oil, metal ores, timber.

The material is then transported by barge to manufacturing centres . The Rhine waterway has aided the growth of manufacturing cities on its banks. It gives industries access to raw materials. Heavy industries are located on the Rhine in cities such as Duisburg, Cologne and Ludwigsshafen. Eg metal smelting and oil refining.