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An urban area is an area with a high population density and infrastructure of built environment. This is the core of a metropolitan statistical area (MSA) in the United States, if it contains a population of more than 50,000.
Urban areas are distinguished from rural areas: any area not part of an urban area is considered to be rural by the Census Bureau. The list in this article includes urban areas with a population of at least 50,000, but urban areas may have as few as 5,000 residents or 2,000 housing units.
Urban areas are often characterized by:
- A high population density
- A concentration of human-made structures, such as houses, commercial buildings, roads, bridges, and railways
- A focus on non-agricultural economic activities, such as manufacturing, trade, and services
- A complex social and cultural environment
Urban areas can be further classified into different types, such as:
- Cities: Large urban areas with a population of 50,000 or more
- Towns: Smaller urban areas with a population of 2,500 to 50,000
- Suburbs: Residential areas located on the outskirts of cities or towns
- Metropolitan areas: Urban areas and their surrounding suburbs
- Megalopolises: Large urban areas with a population of 10 million or more
Urban areas are home to the majority of the world’s population, and they are expected to continue to grow in the future. This growth is due to a number of factors, including:
- Natural population increase
- Rural to urban migration
- Economic development
Urbanization has a number of positive and negative impacts. On the positive side, urbanization can lead to economic growth, improved infrastructure, and access to education and healthcare. On the negative side, urbanization can lead to environmental problems, such as air and water pollution, as well as social problems, such as crime and poverty.
Governments around the world are facing a number of challenges in managing urban growth. These challenges include:
- Providing adequate housing, infrastructure, and services
- Addressing environmental problems
- Reducing crime and poverty
- Promoting social inclusion
Despite the challenges, urbanization is a powerful force that is shaping the world in which we live. It is important to understand the causes, consequences, and challenges of urbanization in order to develop effective policies and programs to manage urban growth.