Urbanization refers to the worldwide trend of migration or movement of people from rural areas like farmlands to areas where there are more people called urban areas, towns, or cities.  A certain area is considered highly urbanized when its population will steadily increase due to the influx of people from other areas, mostly rural ones.

The concept of urbanization started during the Industrial Revolution when many people started to migrate to urban centers like cities and towns to get jobs in the manufacturing industry.  As more and more organizations and companies were put up to to create goods and services for an increasing number of people, more workers were also needed in the past to fill out vacancies mostly in the manufacturing sector.  With most of these manufacturing opportunities settled in cities and towns, people from rural areas also flocked to these cities as part of the growing trend of urbanization.  The migration to urban centers started with job seekers and the trend continued with families and other people who wish to have more opportunities to earn a living when compared to what they have in their homes located in rural areas.

Urbanization is also often related to modernization.  As more and more people get access to technology, many people also choose to live in existing urban centers and cities not only for better employment opportunities but also to take part of what is so-called the modern life.  New products and services are often offered only in urban areas and people in rural areas like farmlands have barely access to these services and products.  With the goal of seeking more from the world, the urban life or culture is sought by many people.  As with the past, many people in present times continue the trend of urbanization and go to bigger cities and towns to seek for a supposed better life.