urbanize
UK: ˈɜːbənaɪz | US: ˈɜːrbənaɪz
vt. to make (a rural area) more urban in character by developing infrastructure, housing, or industry
vi. (of a rural area) to become urban in character
The word "urbanize" combines "urban," derived from the Latin urbanus (pertaining to a city, from urbs "city"), with the suffix "-ize," from Greek -izein, used to form verbs meaning "to render or make." The term emerged in the early 19th century to describe the process of transforming rural areas into urban ones, reflecting industrialization and population shifts. The logic is straightforward: "urban" anchors the concept of cities, while "-ize" adds the action of causing change.
The government plans to urbanize the coastal region by building new highways and residential complexes.
Rapid population growth has caused many villages to urbanize over the past decade.
Critics argue that efforts to urbanize farmland could harm local ecosystems.
The area began to urbanize after the construction of a major factory nearby.
Sustainable practices are essential to urbanize regions without depleting natural resources.