urbanization

Also known as urbanisation, urban growth

alt=Global urbanization map|thumb|upright=1.35|Global urbanization map showing the percentage of urbanization and the biggest global population centres per country in 2018, based on UN estimates.

AI overview

Urbanization is the process of increasing percentages of populations living in cities and urban areas rather than rural regions. It matters because it shapes where and how billions of people live, work, and interact with their environment, making it a significant global demographic trend.

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Research

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Commons category: Urbanization

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~46 min read

Article

29 sections

Contents

History
Causes
Dominant conurbation
Economic effects
Environmental effects
Urban heat island
Water quality
Food waste
Habitat fragmentation
Health and social effects
Nutrition
Infections
Asthma
Crime
Physical activity
Mental health
Social and cultural effects
Changing forms
Suburbanization
Planned urbanization
Water scarcity
Urbanization throughout the world
See also
Historical
Regional
References
Sources
Further reading
External links

alt=Global urbanization map|thumb|upright=1.35|Global urbanization map showing the percentage of urbanization and the biggest global population centres per country in 2018, based on UN estimates.

Urbanization (or urbanisation in British English) is the population shift from rural to urban areas, the corresponding decrease in the proportion of people living in rural areas, and the ways in which societies adapt to this change. It can also mean population growth in urban areas instead of rural ones. It is predominantly the process by which towns and cities are formed and become larger as more people begin to live and work in central areas.