Linear settlement

Some communities along the Saint Lawrence River in Quebec, Canada, developed as linear settlements, as is still clearly seen in Champlain, Quebec

A picture of Victoria City between 1860 and 1865

A map of Victoria City (bottom) and the city of Kowloon across the harbour, of 1915

In geography, a linear settlement is a (normally small to medium-sized) settlement or group of buildings that is formed in a long line.^[1] Many follow a transport route, such as a road, river, or canal, though some form due to physical restrictions, such coastlines, mountains, hills or valleys, as in the case of Victoria, Hong Kong. Linear settlements may have no obvious center, such as a road junction or green.^[2] Linear settlements have a long and narrow shape. In the case of settlements built along a route, the route probably predated the settlement and then the settlement grew up at some way station or feature, growing along the transport route. Often, it is only a single street with houses on either side of the road. Mileham, Norfolk, England is a good example of this. Later development may add side turnings and districts away from the original main street. Places such as Southport, England developed in this way.

A linear settlement is in contrast with ribbon development, which is the outward spread of an existing town along a main street.

Linear villages

A linear village^[3] or a chain village^[4] is a village that is also a linear settlement.

See also

• Reihendorf
• Linear city

References

External links

• Outlane - a linear village