Answer:
- economy
- connections
- population
Step-by-step explanation:
The growth of a settlement nowadays will depend mostly on the economy of the area, but even hundreds of years ago settlements were rarely founded unless they would be profitable. For a settlement to thrive, there has to be some reliable and constant form of economic activity close to it that justifies further settlement.
Connection to more populated areas is also essential. A prosperous settlement will be well connect by a road system, a seaport, an airport, or a river.
Finally, population is an important factor since a larger population tends to bring more services to an area and develop the settlement.