Changing places terminology

Birth rate

the number of live births per thousand of population per year.

Urbanisation

The process by which more people move from rural areas to towns and cities, leading to the growth of urban areas.

Rural area

A region located outside towns and cities, often characterised by low population density and large amounts of open space or farmland.

urban area

A region characterised by high population density and vast human features such as buildings, roads, and infrastructure.

Rural-urban migration

The movement of people from the countryside (rural areas) to towns and cities (urban areas), usually for better job opportunities and services.

World city

A city that is a major centre for finance, trade, culture, and politics, and has a global influence (e.g. New York, London, Tokyo).

Mega city

A city with a population of more than 10 million people.

Urban consolidation

A planning strategy that aims to increase the population density of existing urban areas rather than expanding outwards.

Urban sprawl

The uncontrolled expansion of urban areas into surrounding rural land.

Suburbanisation

The growth of areas on the fringes of cities, where people move from central urban areas to live in suburbs.

Urban renewal

The process of redeveloping and improving run-down or underused urban areas.

Migration

The movement of people from one place to another, often across borders, to live or work.

Immigrant

A person who moves to another country to live permanently.

Emigrant

A person who leaves their own country to live in another.

Internal migration

The movement of people within the same country.

Internally displaced person

Someone who has been forced to leave their home but remains within their country's borders.

Refugee

A person who flees their country due to war, persecution, or natural disaster and seeks protection in another country.

Push factor

Negative conditions in a person’s current location that encourage them to move away (e.g. conflict, unemployment).

pull factor

Positive conditions in a new location that attract people to move there (e.g. job opportunities, safety).

Population density

The number of people living per unit of area, usually per square kilometre.

Company town

A place where nearly all stores and housing are owned by one company that is also the main employer.

export

Goods or services sent from one country to another for sale.

Settlement

A place where people establish a community, ranging from small villages to large cities.

Biocapacity

The ability of an ecosystem to produce resources and absorb waste generated by humans.

Sustainable city

An urban area designed with consideration for social, economic, and environmental impact, aiming for long-term viability.

Ecological footprint

A measure of how much land and resources an individual or population uses to sustain their lifestyle.

Urban

lots of houses

Rural

One or small amount of house (s) in a lot of land

Suburban

The sounding areas of an urban area