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🏙️ Urbanisation Vocabulary for IELTS & TOEFL
Key vocabulary for IELTS/TOEFL essays on cities, housing, transport and urban life.
▶ Practise with audioUrbanisation word list
sprawl noun — the uncontrolled expansion of urban areas into surrounding countryside, often in a disorganized way
“Urban sprawl has consumed thousands of acres of farmland around major cities.” ↗ unplanned expansion
“Urban sprawl has consumed thousands of acres of farmland around major cities.” ↗ unplanned expansion
infrastructure noun — the basic systems and facilities needed for a city to function, such as roads, water, electricity, and transit
“Aging infrastructure in older cities requires significant investment to modernize.” ↗ basic systems
“Aging infrastructure in older cities requires significant investment to modernize.” ↗ basic systems
congestion noun — the state of being overcrowded or blocked, especially excessive traffic volume
“Traffic congestion during rush hours wastes millions of hours annually.” ↗ overcrowding
“Traffic congestion during rush hours wastes millions of hours annually.” ↗ overcrowding
slum noun — a densely populated urban area with poor housing, sanitation, and living conditions
“Millions live in sprawling slums without access to clean water or electricity.” ↗ impoverished area
“Millions live in sprawling slums without access to clean water or electricity.” ↗ impoverished area
gentrification noun — the process by which an area improves and increases in value, often displacing original poorer residents
“Gentrification has driven out long-time residents from historically affordable neighborhoods.” ↗ neighborhood upgrading
“Gentrification has driven out long-time residents from historically affordable neighborhoods.” ↗ neighborhood upgrading
transit noun — the public transportation system; movement of people and goods through a city
“Efficient public transit reduces car dependency and emissions.” ↗ public transportation
“Efficient public transit reduces car dependency and emissions.” ↗ public transportation
commute noun/verb — a regular journey to work or school; to make such a journey
“The average commute time in the city has increased by 20 percent.” ↗ daily journey
“The average commute time in the city has increased by 20 percent.” ↗ daily journey
zoning noun — the division of land into districts with specific permitted uses, such as residential or commercial
“Strict zoning laws prevented mixed-use development in the downtown area.” ↗ land division
“Strict zoning laws prevented mixed-use development in the downtown area.” ↗ land division
density noun — the number of people or buildings per unit area, indicating how crowded a place is
“High-density urban centers require well-planned infrastructure.” ↗ concentration
“High-density urban centers require well-planned infrastructure.” ↗ concentration
affordable housing noun — residences priced within reach of low to moderate-income households
“Cities struggle to provide adequate affordable housing for growing populations.” ↗ low-cost homes
“Cities struggle to provide adequate affordable housing for growing populations.” ↗ low-cost homes
sustainability noun — the ability to meet present needs without compromising resources for future generations
“Sustainable urban planning balances growth with environmental protection.” ↗ long-term viability
“Sustainable urban planning balances growth with environmental protection.” ↗ long-term viability
amenities noun — desirable features or facilities that contribute to comfort and convenience in an area
“Parks, libraries, and gyms are essential amenities for livable neighborhoods.” ↗ facilities
“Parks, libraries, and gyms are essential amenities for livable neighborhoods.” ↗ facilities
migration noun — the movement of people from rural areas to cities for work or better opportunities
“Rural-to-urban migration has accelerated industrialization in developing nations.” ↗ population movement
“Rural-to-urban migration has accelerated industrialization in developing nations.” ↗ population movement
greenspace noun — areas of vegetation in urban environments, such as parks and gardens
“Insufficient greenspace in cities contributes to poor mental and physical health.” ↗ parks and gardens
“Insufficient greenspace in cities contributes to poor mental and physical health.” ↗ parks and gardens
pollution noun — the presence of harmful substances in the environment, air, water, or soil
“Air pollution from vehicles and factories is a major health hazard in megacities.” ↗ environmental contamination
“Air pollution from vehicles and factories is a major health hazard in megacities.” ↗ environmental contamination
metropolitan adjective — relating to a large city and its surrounding areas
“Metropolitan areas account for the majority of economic activity in developed nations.” ↗ city-wide
“Metropolitan areas account for the majority of economic activity in developed nations.” ↗ city-wide
regeneration noun — the process of restoring or revitalizing a run-down urban area
“Urban regeneration projects transformed abandoned warehouses into vibrant neighborhoods.” ↗ revitalization
“Urban regeneration projects transformed abandoned warehouses into vibrant neighborhoods.” ↗ revitalization
footprint noun — the physical area occupied by a structure or city; one's environmental impact
“Compact urban design reduces the environmental footprint per capita.” ↗ area occupied
“Compact urban design reduces the environmental footprint per capita.” ↗ area occupied
satellite city noun — a smaller city near a larger metropolitan area, often serving as a residential or industrial hub
“Satellite cities around Tokyo provide housing for commuters working in the capital.” ↗ suburban hub
“Satellite cities around Tokyo provide housing for commuters working in the capital.” ↗ suburban hub
livability noun — the quality of a place as a suitable environment for people to live in
“Factors like safety, education, and healthcare determine urban livability.” ↗ habitability
“Factors like safety, education, and healthcare determine urban livability.” ↗ habitability