Urbanization

Urbanization is the process by which people and settlements become increasingly concentrated in urban areas, through city growth and shifts of population from rural areas.

Rural–urban migration: The movement of people from rural areas to urban areas, temporarily or permanently. This movement directly increases the urban share of a population.
Informal settlement: A residential area where housing or land use lacks formal authorization or adequate services. Rapid city growth can outpace formal housing supply and service provision.
Industrial Revolution: A period of major economic and technological transformation beginning in Britain in the late eighteenth century. Industrial employment accelerated migration into rapidly growing cities.
Rural area: A settlement area with low population density and predominantly non-urban land uses. Rural areas are the main places from which migration can shift population toward cities.
Natural increase: Population growth caused by births exceeding deaths within a population. Urban populations can grow through births exceeding deaths, even without migration.
Urban heat island: The tendency for built-up areas to be warmer than nearby less-developed areas. Dense construction and altered surfaces intensify heat as cities expand.
Shenzhen: A major Chinese city that grew rapidly after becoming a special economic zone in 1980. Its rapid expansion illustrates urban growth linked to industrialization and policy.
Urbanization rate: The share of a population living in urban areas, or its rate of change over time. It measures urbanization, rather than naming the process itself.
Suburbanization: The outward spread of population and development from a city center into surrounding areas. It redistributes urban growth toward city outskirts and adjoining settlements.
Urban infrastructure: The systems and facilities that support life and activity in cities, including transport, water, and energy networks. Growing populations increase demand on essential city systems.

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