Settlement expansion refers to the growth and increase in size or number of human settlements (such as towns or cities) over time. It often involves both physical expansion into new territories and population growth within existing settlements.
Related terms
Migration: The movement of people from one place to another with intentions of settling permanently or temporarily.
Urban Sprawl: The uncontrolled spread of urban development into neighboring areas, usually resulting in low-density residential communities.
Land Use Change: Refers to alterations made by humans to natural landscapes for various purposes such as agriculture, infrastructure development, or urbanization.