850 B
850 B
Artificer Neighbourhood Settlement
Definition
The pattern where skilled craftsmen naturally settle in proximity to one another near agricultural areas, forming small towns or villages through their mutual dependence and service requirements. This settlement pattern occurs because artificers need occasional assistance from one another and benefit from being near their agricultural customers.
Source Chapter
Book III, Chapter 1
Context
Smith describes this as the natural process of urban formation, explaining how the settlement of artificers near farming communities creates the first market towns and enables the division of labour that characterizes civilized society.
Economic Domain
Exchange