What is the process called when large numbers of people concentrate in small areas, forming cities?

The correct term for the process in which large numbers of people concentrate in small areas, forming cities, is known as urbanization. Urbanization refers to the demographic shift from rural to urban living and encompasses not only the growth of cities but also the societal changes that accompany this movement.

During urbanization, multiple factors such as industrialization, economic opportunities, and social dynamics drive individuals and populations from rural areas into urban centers. This creates densely populated areas with various services and infrastructures that differ significantly from those in rural settings.

This process contrasts with urban sprawl, which refers to the expansion of urban areas into surrounding rural land and is characterized by low-density development. Suburbanization involves the population movement from cities to suburban areas, leading to the growth of suburbs rather than cities themselves. Centrifugal movement describes the tendency of people or activities to move outward from a center, often relating to the dispersal of populations from urban to rural areas, rather than the concentration that defines urbanization.

Understanding urbanization is vital in the context of city planning, societal development, and addressing urban challenges, making it a fundamental concept in the study of architecture and urban theory.