urbanisation
UK: ˌɜːbənaɪˈzeɪʃən | US: ˌɜːrbənəˈzeɪʃən
n. the process by which an increasing proportion of a population comes to live in urban areas, leading to the growth and development of cities.
The word "urbanisation" derives from the Latin root urbanus (meaning "of a city"), combined with the verb-forming suffix -ise (from Greek -izein, indicating "to make or become") and the noun-forming suffix -ation (Latin -atio, denoting an action or process). The term reflects the transformation of rural areas into urban centers, capturing the dynamic shift in human settlement patterns.
Rapid urbanisation has led to increased demand for housing in many developing countries.
The government is implementing policies to manage the effects of urbanisation on infrastructure.
Urbanisation often results in the loss of agricultural land.
Scholars study urbanisation to understand its impact on social and economic systems.
Sustainable urbanisation requires careful planning to balance growth with environmental protection.