IELTS Urban Development Vocabulary - Intermediate

The process by which an increasing proportion of the population moves from rural to urban areas.

The legal right under which land or property is held, such as owner-occupation or renting.

The division of a city into areas designated for specific uses such as housing, industry, or commerce.

The ability to meet present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs.

The purchase of property or land with the intention of reselling at a profit, often driving up prices.

Government-provided or subsidised housing rented at below-market rates to people on low incomes.

A densely populated urban area with poor quality housing and inadequate access to services.

The separation of different social, ethnic, or economic groups into distinct areas within a city.

Systems and facilities for the safe collection and disposal of sewage and waste in urban areas.

The capacity of a city or community to withstand and recover from environmental, economic, or social shocks.

The process of renewing and improving a run-down urban area through investment and redevelopment.

The degree to which housing or services are priced within the financial reach of ordinary people.

A condition of urban decline and neglect that deteriorates the appearance and function of an area.

The human-made surroundings in which people live and work, including buildings, streets, and infrastructure.

The total amount of greenhouse gases produced by an individual, city, or activity.

Achieving a balance between carbon emissions produced and carbon removed, resulting in no net release.

The degree to which members of a community stick together and support one another.

An urban planning model that promotes high-density, mixed-use development to reduce sprawl and car dependency.

The overcrowding of roads or transport networks due to excessive traffic or demand.

The transfer of power and resources from central government to local or regional authorities.

The number of people or buildings per unit of area in an urban setting.

The lack of material resources, services, and opportunities, often concentrated in specific urban areas.

The forced or involuntary movement of residents from their homes, often caused by redevelopment or gentrification.

The release of pollutants or greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, particularly from vehicles and buildings.

The principle that all people, regardless of income or background, deserve equal protection from environmental hazards.

The process by which a poor urban area is transformed as wealthier residents and businesses move in, often displacing existing communities.

An area of open land around a city where building is strictly controlled to prevent urban sprawl.

The unequal distribution of wealth, opportunity, and resources between different groups or areas within a city.

A site where waste material is buried underground, often on the outskirts of urban areas.

The overall quality of life in a city, encompassing safety, transport, green space, and access to services.

A very large city with a population of ten million or more.

The increasing division between wealthy and deprived areas or groups within a city.

To rebuild or improve an area of a city, especially one that has fallen into decline.

The uncontrolled expansion of urban areas into surrounding rural or undeveloped land.

An unoccupied property or plot of land, particularly in an urban area.

The basic physical systems of a city, including transport, water, energy, and communication networks.