Identifying Human Processes (Leaving Cert Geography): Revision Notes
Identifying Human Processes
What are human processes?
Human processes refer to how people use and interact with the landscape around them. These activities show the relationship between people and their environment.
On Ordnance Survey maps, you can identify human processes by looking for evidence of:
- Communications - how people move and connect with each other
- Rural settlement - where and how people live in the countryside
- Urban functions - the services and activities found in towns and cities
Communications
Communications show how people connect with one another across the landscape. The main types you can spot on OS maps include roads, railways, canals, rivers, ports, ferries and airports.
Physical geography strongly influences where communication networks develop, creating predictable patterns across the landscape.
Rivers and bridging points
Roads typically avoid crossing rivers except at their narrowest points, known as bridging points. These locations often become important because they provide natural crossing places where settlements and trade can develop.
Worked Example: Identifying a Bridging Point
Step 1: Look for where a river narrows on the OS map Step 2: Check if roads converge at this narrow point Step 3: Look for settlement development nearby Step 4: Note any bridges or crossing infrastructure marked
If all these features are present, you've identified a bridging point that likely became important for trade and settlement.
Mountains and uplands
Mountainous terrain makes building communications extremely difficult and expensive. As a result:
- Very few roads, railways or transport links cross mountain areas
- When roads must pass through mountains, they use the lowest possible route through passes or gaps
- Upland areas often remain isolated with poor access
Lowlands
Most people live in low-lying areas, so communication networks concentrate here. The flat terrain and gentle slopes make it much easier and cheaper to construct roads and railway lines.
Rural settlement
Rural settlement includes all housing and villages found in the countryside. Several key factors determine where rural settlements develop and how dense they become.
Factors affecting rural settlement location
1. Altitude
People generally prefer living below 200 metres above sea level. Higher areas tend to be:
- Colder and windier due to greater exposure
- Subject to more relief rain (precipitation caused when air rises over high ground)
- More isolated due to poorer communication links
2. Aspect
Houses are commonly built on south-facing slopes because these receive more sunshine throughout the day, making them warmer and more pleasant to live in.
3. Drainage
People avoid areas prone to flooding, preferring well-drained locations for building homes and communities.
4. Slope and relief
Flat or gently sloping land is preferred because:
- It's easier to build on
- The soil is often more fertile for farming
- Access to services like water, electricity and telecommunications is better
Rural settlement patterns
You can identify four distinct patterns of rural settlement on OS maps:
1. Linear settlement
- Also called ribbon settlement
- Houses built in a line along a road
- Popular because it provides easy access to water and electricity
- Farmers often sell roadside land because it's valuable
- Most common on the edges of towns and villages
- Planning authorities discourage this pattern as it contributes to urban sprawl
2. Nucleated settlement
- Also called clustered settlement
- Houses grouped together in small clusters
- Often found at crossroads, bridging points of rivers, or in housing estates
- Bridging points frequently develop into small market towns or larger urban centres
3. Dispersed settlement
- Also called scattered settlement
- Individual houses spread out across the countryside
- Usually farmhouses surrounded by their own land
- Often located at the end of driveways or unmarked roads
- Represents traditional farming communities
4. Absence of settlement
Areas showing no settlement typically have physical challenges such as:
- Mountainous terrain that's too steep for building
- Land prone to regular flooding
- Other environmental constraints that make living there impractical
Remember that settlement patterns often reflect the underlying physical geography and historical development of an area. Understanding these patterns helps explain why people live where they do.
Urban settlement
Urban settlement refers to towns and cities, commonly shown on maps as built-up areas.
Towns and cities develop at specific locations for practical reasons:
Historical development
- Norman influence: When the Normans conquered Ireland in the 12th century, they built large castles. Settlements grew around these castles because they offered protection and trading opportunities
- Religious centres: Monasteries built alongside castles provided education and charity, attracting more residents. Kilkenny City exemplifies this Norman settlement pattern
Geographic advantages
- River locations: Towns developed near rivers for protection and transport access
- Bridging points: Natural river crossing points became trade centres and eventually market towns
- Road junctions: Where roads converge, they create natural places for trade and commerce
- Flat terrain: Easy-to-build-on land encourages urban development
- Coastal positions: Many Irish towns developed at ports to facilitate overseas trade, with beach towns also supporting tourist activities
Urban functions
Urban functions are the services and activities that towns provide for their residents and surrounding areas:
- Education: Schools, colleges, universities
- Industrial: Factory estates and manufacturing areas
- Transport: Roads, railways, airports, ports, car parks
- Market: Shopping centres and commercial districts
- Port: Harbours, quays, piers for sea transport
- Religious: Churches, cathedrals, graveyards
- Health: Hospitals and medical facilities
- Recreational: Golf courses, parks, sports grounds
- Residential: Housing estates for people to live
The range and quality of urban functions often determines the size and importance of a town or city. Larger urban areas typically offer more diverse functions and services.
Evidence of tourist functions
OS maps show various tourist attractions and facilities that contribute to local economies:
Antiquities
Ireland's rich settlement history means most OS maps show historical sites. These appear as red dots with labels indicating castles, holy wells, or other ancient structures. Tourists visit these locations to learn about Irish culture and history.
Recreation
Ireland offers diverse recreational activities including:
- Water sports on rivers and lakes
- Golfing facilities
- Hill walking and orienteering opportunities
- Various outdoor adventure activities
Natural attractions
- Rivers and lakes: Appeal to tourists interested in angling, kayaking, and scenic picnic locations
- Forestry areas: Coillte (Ireland's forest service) promotes woodland trails and adventure racing
- Nature reserves and national parks: Protected areas where visitors can observe wildlife in natural environments
Key Points to Remember:
- Human processes show how people interact with and modify the landscape around them
- Physical geography strongly influences where communication networks, settlements, and towns develop
- Rural settlements follow four main patterns: linear, nucleated, dispersed, and absence of settlement
- Towns develop at advantageous locations like river crossings, road junctions, and flat terrain
- Urban functions provide essential services for both residents and visitors
- OS maps contain extensive information about tourist attractions and recreational opportunities