Petone: a study in historical geography

Abstract

The character of place arises through interaction between Man and environment, in a particular location, over the time scale of inhabitance. It follows that character of place tends to be strongest where Man is most active, where his settlement is most concentrated, where the site of his activities has its own particular distinctiveness, and where there has been a long period of human occupance. In urban locations, most, if not all, of these factors are likely to be present. For this reason, any study of urban settlement must be based upon a consideration of developmental processes, the nature of site and location, the social groups and institutions that have given rise to and moulded development, and the past and present activities of inhabiting populations. Together, these factors constitute the totality of phenomena which provides every metropolis, city, town, and village with its own particular structure and its own particular personality. The City of London, for instance, has inherited from its colourful past the remnants of many societies. It bears today the shadowy imprint of the Roman castra and the great monasteries of the Dark Ages. It preserves examples of the intriguing pedestrian scale and the alley system of the walled mediaeval town; it displays the majesty of St. Paul's Cathedral, and the inspiration of the many other Wren churches. In secluded places it maintains the elegance of the Georgian street and its town house development.