What is urbanization?

Urbanization is best understood as the migration of people to urban areas. This process involves a significant shift where populations leave rural settings and move to cities and towns, often in search of better employment opportunities, improved living standards, and access to services that are typically more plentiful in urban environments.

This phenomenon can lead to the expansion and development of cities, resulting in increased density and various social, economic, and cultural transformations. Urbanization is often associated with changes in lifestyle and social structures, as urban areas tend to offer a different array of social interactions compared to rural settings.

In this context, while the decline of rural populations can be a consequence of urbanization, it does not define the concept itself. Similarly, the growth of agricultural practices and the increase in rural job opportunities do not encapsulate the essence of urbanization, as these aspects pertain more to rural dynamics rather than the movement and settlement in urban spaces.