Urbanization
Definition
Urbanization is the process by which towns and cities are formed and grow due to an increase in population and economic activity.
Analogy
Think of urbanization like a party. Initially, only a few people (population) arrive, but as word spreads about how great the party is (economic opportunities), more and more people start showing up, making the party bigger (urban growth).
Related terms
Metropolitan Area: This refers to a region consisting of a densely populated urban core and its less-populated surrounding territories, sharing industry, infrastructure, and housing.
Urban Sprawl: This term describes the expansion of human populations away from central urban areas into low-density, monofunctional and usually car-dependent communities.
Gentrification: This is a process of changing the character of a neighborhood through the influx of more affluent residents and businesses.
"Urbanization" appears in:
Subjects (7)
Study guides (5)
Practice Questions (20+)
What is the affect of urbanization on family size?
What historical period marked an era of rapid urbanization with many people moving from rural areas to cities?
How does urbanization contribute to an increase in air pollution?
Which scale of analysis would be most appropriate to examine the effects of urbanization on a specific city's infrastructure?
Which scale best captures the impact of urbanization on local wildlife populations?
How might analyzing urbanization at the regional level differ from analysis at the city level?
What best describes the primary cause for rapid urbanization in developing countries?
How does urbanization most directly affect agricultural areas?
Which demographic trend typically results from increasing urbanization?
How could a country experiencing rapid urbanization but struggling with high unemployment rates effectively manage its issues?
How does urbanization typically impact women’s roles in society?
How does urbanization contribute to an aging population?
How does urbanization affect cultural landscapes?
What event in the 20th century contributed to an increase in urbanization worldwide?
How does urbanization affect the environment?
Why do proponents support the idea of Urbanization despite concerns about environmental impacts?
Which event dramatically increased urbanization due to industrial growth in the late 18th and early 19th centuries?
What's an effect of urbanization on agriculture?
How did enclosure movement patterns contribute significantly to urbanization in Britain during this period?
How can geographic data help mitigate the environmental impacts of urbanization?
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