The Future of Rural Settlement
Author(s): Peter Bibby
This document reports on a programme of work intended to provide contextual information to aid consideration of the future of rural settlement in England. It explores change in the structure of settlement since 1851. ‘Rural’ settlement is distinguished from ‘urban’ settlement in physical terms - that is to say the physical character of settlement and by the presence or absence of extensive land-uses (such as agriculture and forestry). This approach is consistent with that used by Government to define the rural domain for policy purposes. Settlement change has responded to the growth of the economy over this long period and to its changing structure. Every aspect of settlement and development has shifted as society’s relations with the land have become increasingly indirect, and as successive waves of innovation and investment have changed patterns of locational advantage. Much of the rural domain has remained relatively unaffected physically by change over this period, but the economic and social roles of its residents have changed substantially. Because the rural domain is defined on a physical basis, its economic role and social relations may be examined rather than presumed.
- Report Number:
- 55/2017
- Series:
- Research Report
- Pages:
- 195
- Keywords:
- Settlement Rural Settlement Settlement Change Urbanisation Development Housing National Character Areas Household Dwelling Stock
