Urban settlement process in lands of “recent settlement”—an Australian example

The evolution of urban settlement in Victoria (Australia) is examined with reference to existing models for lands of “recent settlement”. The adequacy of explanations that emphasize a single variable, whether economic or technological, is questioned. The complexity of the urban settlement process seems best to be comprehended by the conceptualization of a combination of key factors in interaction; to this end an analysis of the sequence of settlement in Victoria is undertaken.