Final answer:
Factories were historically built in clusters near labor, raw materials, and transportation networks, with infrastructure leading to urban growth and shifts in industry location.
Step-by-step explanation:
Factories developed in clusters because they were built near sources of labor, raw materials, transportation networks, and where there was an existing infrastructure. During the Industrial Revolution, the growth of factories was highly influenced by the availability of water power, necessitating their construction along rivers and streams. As steam power became more prevalent, the need for water proximity decreased, allowing factories to be built closer to urban centers where there was a concentration of labor and access to transportation for shipping goods.
For instance, in the northeastern United States, the steel industry developed around Pittsburgh due to the accessibility of iron ore from Minnesota and coal from Appalachia. Additionally, the development of the steam engine enabled factories to relocate near urban populations, spurring urban growth as people moved to cities for factory jobs. Textile factories originally utilized waterfalls for power in New England but later moved to southern cities for cheaper labor and land. Trade site locations also attracted industry due to advantages like port facilities and varied transportation options, forming break of bulk points where different modes of transport intersected.