What is urbanization?
Urbanization is the increasing share of people living in urban areas and the transformation of settlements.
Definition and processes
Core concept Rural-to-urban migration, natural growth within cities and reclassification can alter the urban share. Countries do not all use the same urban definition. How it is studied Censuses, building data and satellite images track change. Density and expansion at the urban fringe matter as well as city population.
Applications and caveats
Why it matters Urbanization affects demand for transport, housing, water, schools and health. Well-managed density can aid service delivery; unplanned sprawl uses more land. Common misunderstandings It is not only migration from villages: settlements can acquire urban characteristics. A rising urban share does not automatically improve everyone’s living standards.