noun · neutral
urbanization
UK/ˌɜːbənaɪˈzeɪʃən/US/ˌɜːrbənəˈzeɪʃən/ur·ban·i·ZA·tion
the process by which people move from rural areas to cities, leading to city growth
Examples
“Rapid urbanization has created challenges in housing and transport.”
“Urbanization often accompanies industrialisation and economic change.”
“Policies are needed to make urbanization sustainable and inclusive.”
Band 8 sentence
“Unchecked urbanization without investment in infrastructure and affordable housing often leads to slums and severe traffic congestion.”
Collocations
- rapid urbanization
- urbanization process
- rural-to-urban migration
Word family
Common mistakes
urbanism→urbanization
the urbanization are→urbanization is
urbanisation (British) vs urbanization (American)→either spelling is acceptable depending on variety
Say it for a higher band
5urban growth→6urbanisation→7+urbanization
Synonyms
urban growth
Easily confused
urban sprawl
“Urban sprawl increases commute times, while urbanization describes the long-term shift of population to cities.”
Related words
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In Society & Government
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