A human settlement with a high population density and infrastructure of built environment. In simple terms it is a town/city.
rural area
A human settlement with a low population density and a significant amount of greenspace. In simple terms, it is a small town or village
Megacity
A city with over 10 million people, (eg. London or Tokyo)
Urbanisation
The process of an area becoming urban
Rural urban migration
The process of people moving from a rural area to an urban area
Slum
An crowded area of substandard housing with poor sanitation and lack of basic requirements e.g. electricity, sewerage systems and running water. These can also be called favelas or shanty towns.
Migration
The movement of people into (immigration) or out of (emigration) an area
Urban regeneration
The improvement of old buildings and the addition of amenities in attempt to improve the area.
Sustainable
Meeting the needs of today without compromising the needs of future generations
Brownfield site
Area of derelict land that is being considered for urban development
Greenfield site
Area of agricultural land that is being considered for urban development
Urban deprivation
When a person’s quality of life in an urban area falls below what is regarded as the acceptable minimum by the government e.g. housing quality
Urban sprawl
The unrestricted growth of urban areas onto the surrounding rural land
Greenbelt
An area of Greenland surrounding a city where building is restricted
Counter Urbanisation
The growth of rural areas
Commuter settlements
Small towns and villages where people commute to the city for work but live outside of the city to reap the benefits of living in more rural areas
