ENGLISH
REFERENCE

urbanization

n. uncountable
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˌɝbənəˈzeɪʃən// ur·ban·iza·tion

n. the process of more and more people moving from the countryside to live in cities. It also describes how towns and cities grow larger as a result.

n. the process by which an increasing proportion of a population comes to live in cities and towns, often involving the physical expansion of urban areas.


SIMPLE

Rapid urbanization is changing the landscape of the country.

CONTEXTUAL

The government is struggling to provide enough housing and transport to keep up with the pace of urbanization.

COMPLEX

While urbanization often drives economic growth and innovation, it also presents significant challenges regarding infrastructure, environmental sustainability, and the preservation of social cohesion in densely populated areas.

Origin

From urbanize + -ation.

Usage

Typically used as an uncountable noun to describe the general process; occasionally countable when referring to specific historical instances.

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