Urbanisation

noun

/ˌɜː.bən.aɪˈzeɪ.ʃən/

The demographic and sociological process by which an increasing proportion of a population comes to live in urban areas as people migrate from rural areas seeking economic opportunities, resulting in the growth of cities, transformation of livelihoods, and fundamental changes in social organisation, family structure, and cultural practices

✍️ Usage in a UPSC answer

India's rapid urbanisation — with the urban population growing from 17.3% (1951) to 31.1% (Census 2011) — has generated a 'dual city' phenomenon where gated enclaves of prosperity exist alongside vast informal settlements lacking basic amenities.

Synonyms

urban growthcity formationmetropolitan expansionrural-urban migration

Antonyms

ruralisationde-urbanisationrural retentioncounter-urbanisation

🌱 Word Family

urbanisation (n), urbanise (v), urban (adj), urbane (adj — of refined manners), urbanity (n)

🔡 Root

Latin urbanus = of the city (urbs = city) + -isation = process suffix (French -isation)

📜 Etymology

From Latin urbanus; urbanisation as a sociological process concept developed in 19th-century Europe with the Industrial Revolution; in India, Census 2011 recorded 31.1% urban population, with the urban share rising from 17.3% (1951) as industrialisation and service-sector growth drew rural populations to cities

🧠 Memory Hook

URBAN + -ISATION: the process of becoming URBAN — the countryside converting to city life, one migrant at a time

📝 Seen in UPSC Question Papers

Mains 2023 · GS1 · 15 marks — Indian Society
Mains 2014 · GS1 · 10 marks — Indian Heritage & Culture
Mains 2013 · GS1 · 10 marks — Indian Society

Real UPSC previous-year questions whose text uses “Urbanisation” — proof this word earns its place on your list.

👥 Society 📖 Seen in: Salient Features of Indian Society — D... 📋 Also in Key Terms

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