Settlement as process : Settlement as a process

Within the academic literature, the word "settlement" takes on a variety of meanings. A "pattern of settlement" has been used as a sort of shorthand for describing where immigrants set up formal residence. Residential addresses of immigrants and their location with respect to the native born form the basis for most analyses. Settlement patterns are viewed as the basis for assessing the degree of spatial assimilation or integration of immigrants, i.e., how well the distribution of immigrant residential addresses matches native-born patterns. Settlement might also be understood as a longer term outcome of immigration, understood as whether or not immigrants establish formal residence, set up local families, and/or express intentions to permanently remain within their host countries.