What is urbanisation?
In GCSE geography, urbanisation is the process by which a large number of people migrate from the countryside (rural) to cities (urban). Rural-to-urban migration causes urbanisation.
This frequently happens in underdeveloped countries with industry concentrated in main hubs. These hubs act as beacons for people to improve their opportunities and way of life. The rates of urbanisation vary around the world depending on a country’s level of development.
Developed countries such as the UK, Germany and the USA have lower levels of urbanisation because people already live in towns and cities. However, countries like India and Brazil have high levels of rural to urban migration. China's urbanisation rate has slowed due to earlier industrialisation and regulated internal migration.
Urbanisation Revision Resources to Ace Your Exams
Use the Save My Exams urban change revision notes, flashcards and exam questions to revise the process of urban sprawl and related processes.
Need help reaching your target grade? Explore our notes, questions by topic and worked solutions, tailor-made for GCSE Geography.
Explore GCSE Geography
Share this article
written revision resources that improve your