| A | B |
|---|
| arable land | Land that can be cultivated to grow crops. |
| degree of urbanization | Percentage of the population in the world, or a country, living in areas with a population of more than 2,500 people (higher in some countries). |
| emigration | Movement of people out of a specific geographic area. |
| immigration | Migration of people into a country or area to take up permanent residence.
land-use planning Process for deciding the best present and future use of each parcel of land in an area. |
| mass transit | Buses, trains, trolleys, and other forms of transportation that carry large numbers of people. |
| megacity | City with 10 million or more people. |
| migration | Movement of people into and out of a specific geographic area. |
| noise pollution | Any unwanted, disturbing, or harmful sound that impairs or interferes with hearing, causes stress, hampers concentration and work efficiency, or causes accidents. |
| smart growth | Form of urban planning which recognizes that urban growth will occur but uses zoning laws and an array of other tools to prevent sprawl, direct growth to certain areas, protect ecologically sensitive and important lands and waterways, and develop urban areas that are more environmentally sustainable and more enjoyable places to live. |
| urban area | Geographic area with a population of 2,500 or more. The number of people used in this definition may vary, with some countries setting the minimum number of people at 10,000-50,000. |
| urban growth | Rate of growth of an urban population. |
| urban sprawl | Growth of low-density development on the edges of cities and towns. |
| zoning | Regulating how various parcels of land can be used. |
