Geografie 1962, 67, 287-302
Contribution to Classification of Settlements from the Point-of-View of Slope and Morphographical Conditions
Within the scope of cooperation between the Geomorphological Section of the Czechoslovak Academy of Sciences and the Research Institute for Construction and Architecture in Brno, a classification of Czechoslovak towns with more than 2,000 inhabitants (compared to 1950'status) considering the slope and morphological conditions was worked out in 1961. The present paper is to provide material for the investigation of settlements (state plan of investigation IX-1-1). Slope and morphological conditions of settlements have been studied, meanwhile also the altitude, orographic situation and the geological substratum were taken into consideration. For the determination of the gradient conditions, settlements were divided into several classes: 1) plain settlements (gradient from 0° to 2°); 2) very slightly slanting gradient (2° to 3°); 3) slightly slanting gradient (3° to 5°); 4) slanting gradient (5° to 10°); 5) abrupt gradient (10° to 20°); 6) very abrupt slopes (more than 20°). The so-called mixed settlements, displaying criteria both sub 2 and 3 were considered separately. The majority of the settlements belong to the plains and mixed types. The greatest number of plain settlements is to be found in West Slovakia thanks to large villages in the Danubian Lowland. Mixed settlements occur predominantly in Western and Northern Bohemia. They have been founded in the more varied relief of the Ore Mountains and the Sudeten Mountains. Plain settlements are frequent in the central part of Slovakia where they are situated in the valleys of the Carpathians. Settlements of a pronouncedly slope-typ eare scarce (less than 10% of all settlemements under investigation). In all areas the first place is occupied by the plain-type settlements. Other categories display differences between the Bohemian and Slovakian territories. Slovakia thanks to the considerable extent and the dense population of the Danubian and Tisa Lowlands has by 41 % more valley settlements than Bohemia. On the other hand, Bohemia thanks to a flatter relief and the gentle slopes of the Bohemian Mass, displays a larger number of settlements situated on valley slopes. Some topographical positions typical of the flat inter-valley and water-shed terrain and the gentle slopes on the uppermost reaches of the streams, occur exclusively in Bohemia. This type of a comparatively flat relief - suitable for the foundation of settlements - is quite common in the Bohemian Mass. On the other hand, it is comparatively scarce in the Carpathians. Obviously this is due to the surface of the Bohemian Mass has been levelled considerably, whereas in the Carpathians - where mountain ranges alternate with deep valleys - the abrupt slopes do not provide enough place for any settlements to be founded.
