{"id":50,"date":"2019-08-22T20:24:33","date_gmt":"2019-08-23T00:24:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/settlement\/chapter\/lawsofsettlements_book_lopc_3_functions\/"},"modified":"2020-04-22T15:27:53","modified_gmt":"2020-04-22T19:27:53","slug":"lawsofsettlements_book_lopc_3_functions","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/settlement\/chapter\/lawsofsettlements_book_lopc_3_functions\/","title":{"raw":"Functions","rendered":"Functions"},"content":{"raw":"
\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_48\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"1000\"]\"Hillside Machu Picchu, Peru. Image courtesy of Author.[\/caption]\n\n<\/div>\n
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<\/a>30.<\/span> The functions of a settlement depend on the geographic and topographic location, geologic conditions, technological development, population size, and the role within the larger settlement system.<\/strong><\/h1>\n

Given the many elements presented in this law, it is worth dissecting them further to understand how they relate and expand on Doxiadis\u2019 initial insights. This is particularly important since I have added geologic and technological factors to his initial statement.<\/p>\n

In keeping with Law 26<\/span><\/a>, geography, topography and geology play critical roles in determining the functions of a settlement. The creation of an agricultural community, for example, is clearly dependent on those three conditions to facilitate the growth of food. Referring to Neolithic settlement in Mesopotamia, James Breasted describes how they began \u201c\u2026.in small oases on steppes and plateaux. Despite the threat of drought the difficulties of taming soil were less formidable there than in the flood plains of major rivers\" (Morris, 1979<\/span>,<\/span><\/span> p. 4).<\/p>\n

Expanding Breasted\u2019s thoughts, Anthony Morris describes how early farming communities established themselves on higher ground over thousands of years, and gradually moved \u201cdown the valleys of the Tigris and Euphrates as the alluvial deposits dried out and as techniques, especially irrigation, were improved\u201d\u00a0 (Morris, 1979, p. 5). This passage also highlights the importance of technologies and techniques with respect to the function of a settlement.<\/p>\n

In terms of population size, Doxiadis highlights that functions determine population size, and not the other way around. Given a settlement\u2019s dynamic nature (Law 22<\/span><\/a>), as it develops it acquires different functions due to its size (Law 2<\/span><\/a> and Law 11<\/span>)<\/a>. As such, its functions are in constant flux.<\/p>\n

The functions of a settlement are also conditioned by the role within the larger co-dependent settlement system (Law 0<\/span><\/a> and Law 8<\/span><\/a>). In the contemporary world of global trade and technological innovation, the intersection between all the factors within this law has shown a number of interesting results. The development of Memphis, Tennessee as the home of the Federal Express cargo airline global \u201cSuperHub<\/a>\u201d due to its geographic location is a case in point. Issues around roles are elaborated on further in Law 31<\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n

It is worth noting, however, that discussions around the role and function of a settlement must necessarily engage the issue of time (Law 14<\/span><\/a>).<\/p>\n

FURTHER READING (full citations found in reference list<\/a>):<\/p>\n\n