# urbanization

/ˌɝbənəˈzeɪʃən/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/urbanization
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. growth of cities

noun · CEFR B2 · Academic

the process of people moving from rural areas to cities, making cities grow larger.

For teachers: the physical and demographic growth of urban areas as a result of rural-to-urban migration and industrial development.

- Rapid urbanization in the 20th century changed the way most people live and work.
- The government struggled to provide adequate infrastructure to keep pace with the unprecedented rate of urbanization in the coastal provinces.

Usage: Uncountable when referring to the general process; countable when referring to specific instances or regional examples.

Teaching tip: Often discussed alongside industrialization and environmental impact in academic contexts.

## Examples

- Rapid urbanization is changing the landscape of the country.
- The government is struggling to provide enough housing and transport to keep up with the pace of urbanization.
- 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.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.