3.12 The role of technology in establishing settlements

Geography

Grade 5

Population: distribution and density

Module 28

The role of technology in establishing settlements

Human factors that influence population distribution

The role of technology in establishing settlements

Technology can create and also solve problems when a settlement is established!

In the past, and also today, running water was very important when deciding where to settle. Nowadays technology makes it possible to take water to where people settle. People do not have to settle close to water any more.

The Vaal Dam supplies almost all the water in Gauteng and the western part of Mpumalanga. But, the needs of the population and the industries have increased so greatly that water has to be brought from the Katse Dam in Lesotho, almost 300 km away, to add to the water from the Vaal Dam. Engineers are designing enormous dams, tunnels and pipelines to transport water to Gauteng to ensure development in that region.

Technology has also had a negative impact on the settlement of people in the Northern Cape and in other parts of the country. Copper wire used to be important as a conductor in telephone systems. Now optic fibres have replaced copper. Copper mines in South Africa, as well as in other parts of the world had to be closed down.

Copper mines near places like Prieska and Springbok in the dry and sparsely populated Northern Cape used to provide many employment opportunities, but many people left the area when the mines were closed and those who have stayed behind are surviving with difficulty.

There are limitations to what can be done, though, because people are able to build dams and canals, but they cannot make water. Eventually there will not be enough water to allow unlimited expansion!

Activity 1:

To begin an investigation

[lo 2.3]

Investigating the effects and development of modern technology on the settlement of people in a region.

(Place a  in the appropriate space)

Assessment

LO 1

GEOGRAPHICAL ENQUIRY

The learner will be able to use enquiry skills to investigate geographical and environmental concepts and processes.

We know this when the learner:

1.1 with guidance, selects and uses sources of useful geographical information [finds sources];

1.2 distinguishes between facts and opinions [works with sources];

1.3 categorises information [works with sources];

1.4 uses an index to find places on global atlas maps [works with sources];

1.6 identifies and explores possible solutions to problems [answers the question];

1.7 demonstrates knowledge and under-standing of the issue through projects, discussion, debate and charts [communicates the answer].

LO 2

GEOGRAPHICAL KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING

The learner will be able to demonstrate geographical and environmental knowledge and understanding.

We know this when the learner:

2.1 identifies and describes major physical features of South Africa, including those of the home province [people and places];

2.2 identifies links between natural resources and economic activities in South Africa [people and resources];

2.3 describes ways in which the physical environment influences human activity and how human activity is influenced by the physical environment [people and the environment

Memorandum

ACTIVITY 1

1. New community settles

2. Increase in existing community

3. Decrease in existing community

4. Decrease in existing community

5. Increase in existing community

6. New community settles; Increase in existing community