Urbanisation is the process of urban growth that leads to a greater percentage of the population living in towns and cities. It is the movement of people from rural areas (countryside) to urban areas (towns and cities).

Advantages

• Improved economy - farms surrounding cities can increase production to provide food for sale in cities
• Better services - people have better access to services although in LEDCs people may not be able to afford them
• Improved income - there are more jobs available and jobs in towns and cities tend to pay more

Disadvantages

• Poor housing - problems in housing provision in LEDCs leads to shanty housing being built
• Unemployment- Lack of jobs in LEDCs leads to work in the informal sector
• Increased traffic congestion and air, water and land pollution (LEDCs and MEDCs)
• Problems in rural areas- The rural areas in LEDCs may have insufficient able-bodied workers to farm the land, therefore the agricultural production can be reduced.