Urbanization describes the growth of urban settlements and the changing balance between rural and urban populations. This lesson introduces the concept, ways it is measured, and the historical shifts that accelerated the growth of cities.
Urbanization is the process by which human settlements form and grow as more people live, work, and spend leisure time in towns and cities. It includes migration from rural to urban areas, a rising proportion of people living in urban areas, and changes in society and culture associated with this shift.
All flashcards
What is urbanization?
The growth of urban settlements and the rising share of a population living in urban areas, with related social changes.
What are agglomeration effects?
Advantages firms and workers may gain by locating near one another, such as shared infrastructure, customers, suppliers, and a varied labor pool.
What is an urban heat island?
A built-up area that is warmer than nearby rural areas.
What happened in global urbanization in 2007?
For the first time, more than half of the world's population lived in urban areas.
What is the level of urbanization?
The proportion of a population living in areas classified as urban at a particular time.
Quiz questions
What is one potential advantage of firms and workers locating close to one another in a city?Answer: They can share infrastructure and access nearby customers, suppliers, and workers.
What does overurbanization describe?Answer: Urban growth that outpaces economic development and the provision of jobs, housing, and services.
Why are built-up areas often warmer than nearby rural areas?Answer: Buildings and paved surfaces retain heat, while cities often have less vegetation and add waste heat.
How can urban runoff affect nearby waterways?Answer: It can carry pollutants from paved surfaces into waterways, often with little treatment.
What distinguishes planned urbanization from organic urban growth?Answer: Planned urbanization follows deliberate decisions about settlement layout, infrastructure, and design.
Based on the Wikipedia article Urbanization, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Adapted into a summary, flashcards and quizzes.