Which term refers to the process of migration to cities and their expansion?

Urbanization is the term that specifically describes the process of migration to cities and their expansion. It encompasses the demographic shift of people moving from rural areas to urban centers, leading to an increase in the urban population. This transition often results in the growth of cities, both in terms of population and physical infrastructure.

Urbanization is closely linked with various socio-economic changes, as it often emerges from factors such as industrialization, which creates job opportunities in cities that attract rural populations. As cities grow, they typically evolve in terms of infrastructure, housing, and services, which can further encourage additional migration.

While industrialization refers to the economic transformation characterized by the shift from agrarian economies to manufacturing ones, suburbanization denotes the growth of areas on the outskirts of cities, typically as a result of urban overpopulation. Globalization involves the worldwide interconnectedness of economies, cultures, and populations, but it does not specifically address the movement of people to urban centers. Thus, urbanization is the precise term for the process in question.