Definitions Quiz

Define the term 'Brownfield'

• A site that has been previously developed for industrial purposes

• A site that is currently under development for industrial purposes

• A site that has never been developed

• A site that grows brown fields

Answer explanation

A brownfield site is defined as a location that has been previously developed for industrial or commercial purposes and thus requires further development before reuse. E.g. an abandoned factory, or an old industrial port.

Define the term 'Conurbation'

• A small town struggling with urbanisation

• A large urban agglomeration formed by merging formerly separate towns

• A rural area that consists of limited services

• A suburban neighborhood

Answer explanation

Conurbation is defined as a large urban agglomeration formed by the merging of separate towns.

A conurbation is a polycentric urban agglomeration where transportation has ideally also developed to link areas more coherently, thus creating a singular economic region. Examples include Greater London, and the space between Liverpool and Manchester which forms Lancaston.

Define the term 'Greenfield'

• Areas available for commercial or residential development

• Areas that are fully developed

• Areas that are protected

• Areas that are abandoned

Answer explanation

Greenfield refers to areas available for development, typically on the edges of urban areas or in suburban locations.

It is an undeveloped land that can be used for commercial or residential development.

Define the term 'Hamlet'

• A large city

• A small settlement focused on a single economic activity

• A suburban area

• A large rural centre focused on varied economic activities

Answer explanation

The definition of 'Hamlet' is a small settlement, smaller than a village; typically home to people focused on a single economic activity, such as farming.

Define the term 'Hinterland'

• The area surrounding a city, a city's sphere of economic influence

• The economic center of a city

• A rural area, in particular forest areas

• A coastal region

Answer explanation

The term 'hinterland' refers to the area surrounding a city that is economically influenced by it.

A settlement’s sphere of economic influence e.g. Byron Bay's hinterland

Define the term 'Megacity'

• A city with a population of 1 million

• A city with more than 10 million inhabitants

• A city with a population of 5 million

• A city with a population of 20 million

Answer explanation

A megacity is defined as a city with more than 10 million inhabitants.

There are 33 megacities worldwide. Tokyo (37 million), Delhi (32 million) and Shanghai (29 million) are the top 3 megacities by population in 2024.

Define the term 'Metropolitan area'

• A city and its surrounding rural areas

• A city and its commuting zone

• A city with no suburbs

• A city with only urban areas

Answer explanation

A metropolitan area includes a city and its commuting zone, which encompasses suburban, peri-urban, and rural areas economically and socially linked to the city.

Define the term 'Peri-urban'

• The area within a city

• The area just beyond the metropolitan fringe

• The area in the city center

• The area in rural regions

Answer explanation

'The area just beyond the metropolitan fringe', aligns with the definition of peri-urban, which describes the interface between city and country, specifically located at the urban periphery.

Define the term 'Settlement pattern'

• The distribution of buildings in a settlement

• The population density

• The economic activities

• The transportation network

Answer explanation

The term 'settlement pattern' specifically refers to the layout of buildings within a settlement.

Define the term 'Site'

• The the characteristics of a place

• The historical significance

• The economic activities

• The cultural aspects

Answer explanation

The site of a settlement is primarily defined by its geographical features, such as landforms, climate, and natural resources, which directly influence its suitability for habitation and development.