What does the term "urbanization" refer to?

The term "urbanization" specifically refers to the process in which people increasingly move from rural areas to urban areas, leading to the growth of cities. This phenomenon typically occurs as individuals seek better job opportunities, improved access to services, and overall enhanced living conditions that urban environments can provide. The movement contributes to the expansion and development of cities, as well as the transformation of societal structures and economic activities.

In contrast, options that involve the expansion of businesses in rural areas or the creation of suburban neighborhoods, while related to urban development, do not encapsulate the fundamental essence of urbanization. Similarly, the migration of individuals from cities back to the countryside represents a reversal of urbanization and does not align with the concept of population movements leading to city growth. Thus, the correct identification of urbanization as the movement from rural to urban areas highlights its critical significance in understanding demographic shifts and the evolution of societies.