Urbanisation
Urbanisation is a process whereby humans settle in higher numbers over smaller land areas, a process where smaller rural communities grow to develop and form into cities, or urban areas. It is reported that the term, urbanización, was coined by, one of the earliest town planners Ildefons Cerdà i Sunyer (1815 - 1876) a Spanish civil engineer and urban planner. He drew up topographical survey maps of Barcelona's surroundings, wrote theoretical treatises to support his major planning projects and was eventually responsible for planning an extension to the city of Barcelona in the 1900's.
Today Urbanisation is an important term not least because in 2007 the UN estimated that the balance between those living in rural areas and the urbanised population had shifted with a greater proportion now being urban, rather than rural based.
The term planner or urban planner, may often now be adjusted to Urbanism, which the study of how inhabitants of urban areas, interact with their built environment. An Urban specialist or Urbanist, may have a broader remit than the planning of buildings, extending into the interaction of the wide variety of different urban systems, potentially including the relatively new disciplines or urban sociology and urban psychology that encompass the nature of urban life and culture.
NB Spatial development glossary, European Conference of Ministers responsible for Spatial/Regional Planning (CEMAT), Territory and landscape, No 2, published by Council of Europe Publishing in 2007, states: ‘Urbanisation is a long-term process which characterises both the increasing share of population living in towns and cities and the growth of urban areas.’
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
Featured articles and news
We're expanding our collaborative mission by launching DB Intelligence, an exclusive market research advisory panel. Built environment professionals can now get paid to share their expertise on industry trends, products and services.
Panel members receive direct financial incentives for participating in research projects like short surveys, 1-2-1 interviews and focus groups. Register today to shape the future of the construction sector.
Planning condition discharge in England and Wales
A brief exoplanation from a building compliance expert, with further links.
Overheating guidance and tools for building designers
Guidance for dealing with element of building fabric control that have increasing importance.
Shading for housing, a design guide
From the Good Homes Alliance and British Blind and Shutter Association.
UK Standard Skills Classification (SSC)
A shared framework for describing skills needs.
Social media ban consultation comes to close
CIOB urges UK Government to consider social media’s role in careers guidance in ban debate.
The latest of eight Skills England apprenticeship units
The addition of battery manufacturing welcomed by ECA with a warning about the risks of fast-tracked apprenticeship units.
Building Control Independent Panel final report
A precis of a key report led by Dame Hackitt with full recommendations and link to the government response.
Building Safety recap April, 2026
A short and longer run-through of the month, with links to further information and sources.
CIAT May 2026 briefing.
From medieval scribes to modern word art.
ECA welcomes crackdown on late payment and push for clean energy, whilst CIOB seek fixed cladding removal timeframes.
Cyber Security in the Built Environment
Protecting projects, data, and digital assets: A CIOB Academy TIS.
Managing competence in the built environment
ITFG publishes new industry guide on how to meet the ICC principles.
The UK's campaign to reduce noise pollution: Mythbusting, articles and topic guides.