What do we call settlements where residents primarily sleep but commute elsewhere for work?

In urban geography, dormitory settlements refer to residential areas where the primary purpose is to provide housing for people who live there but travel to nearby cities or districts for work during the day. These settlements typically don't offer a range of employment opportunities themselves, focusing instead on providing a place for residents to sleep and relax. The characteristics of dormitory settlements often include quiet neighborhoods with a lower density of commercial activity, making them reliant on nearby urban centers for jobs.

The other options presented do not accurately describe this phenomenon. Academic settlements would imply a focus on educational institutions rather than residential living for workers. Business centers are primarily areas with high concentrations of commercial activity, often where individuals work rather than live. Pendant cities is not a recognized term in urban geography related to residential patterns for commuting workers. Therefore, dormitory settlements is the most fitting term for this type of residential arrangement.