An urban area is a community with a high population density and built-up environment infrastructure.

Urban areas are created through urbanization as cities, towns and suburbs.

What Is Urbanization?

Urbanization is an increase in the number of people living in cities and towns.

Urbanization first occurred in high-income countries (HIC) during the Industrial Revolution.

People were attracted to urban areas from the rural areas to work in factories.

They were also pushed as advances in technology led to mechanization on farms.

Currently, the rate of urbanization in low-income countries (LICs) is higher than in high-income countries.

As LICs develop, more and more people are migrating to cities. The choropleth maps below illustrate how many low-income countries are becoming more urbanized.

Urban growth (1950-2060)

Although the rate of urbanization is higher in richer areas of the world compared to poorer areas, though the rate of urban growth (changes between 1950 and 2000) is higher in poorer areas of the world.

The rate of urbanization in the poorer areas of the world is very high.

This is due to the migration of people from rural to urban areas.

The current rate is predicted to increase due to industrialization and economic development in some poorer countries.

The rate of urban growth in more developed countries is lower because it has already occurred, hence the high rate (over 80%).

Credit:

https://www.internetgeography.net/topics/what-is-urbanisation/