WordGarden.iourbanize
B2Pronunciation
UK
US
- /ˈɜrbəˌnaɪz/
Meanings
Verb
to make a place or society more urban by expanding city life or development
Beyond the definition
To urbanize means to change a rural area—think farms and fields—into a more city-like place with buildings, roads, and a larger population. It's not just about building things; it's also about the shift that happens when people move from country living to city life. For example, many countries are experiencing rapid urbanization as people leave villages to find jobs and new opportunities in growing cities. You might say a small town is being urbanized if new apartment buildings start appearing where cornfields used to be. It can also mean making an area more like a city by improving roads, services, and other parts of daily life.
The word "urbanize" describes the process of changing an area from rural (countryside) to urban (city-like). This is not simply about constructing buildings; it is also a social, economic, and population shift.
Today, "urbanize" often refers to the rapid growth of cities, particularly in developing countries. This can involve building new infrastructure like roads, schools, and hospitals, as well as attracting businesses and industries that create jobs. For example: "The government is investing heavily in projects designed to urbanize the coastal region."
However, "urbanize" isn't always used in a positive light. It can also highlight challenges like overcrowding, pollution, and the strain on resources. You might read about the negative consequences of unplanned urbanization, where cities grow too quickly without adequate infrastructure to support the population.
The word can also be used more broadly to describe making a place more urban in character. For instance: "They are trying to urbanize the outer edge of the town by adding apartment blocks, bus routes, and shopping areas." This means they are making the area function more like a city.
Whether it's about large-scale social change or smaller local development, "urbanize" points to movement toward a more city-centered way of life.
Examples
- 1
Development policy
The government hopes to urbanize the area by improving transport and building new housing.
- 2
Population shift
As the country urbanized, millions of people left villages for jobs in the cities.
- 3
Coastal development
The once-rural coastline has been heavily urbanized over the last twenty years.
- 4
Urban planning
Planners are under pressure to urbanize quickly without losing too much green space.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Public services
Rapidly urbanizing regions often struggle to provide enough water, roads, and public services.
See also
Similar
- develop
- build up
- urbanise
Shades of meaning
- densify
Contrast
- deurbanize
- suburbanize
Used with (collocations)
- urbanize a region
- rapidly urbanize
- urbanizing population
Word family
Explore
- city planning
- rural-to-urban migration
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- urbanizeverb
Forms
- urbanizedpast tenseverb
- urbanizing-ing formverb
- urbanizesverb