1. to make or become urban in character; to develop urban areas
2. to cause people to move from rural areas to cities

Examples

• The government plans to urbanize the rural region over the next decade.
• As the country industrialized, it began to urbanize rapidly.
• Many developing nations are urbanizing at an unprecedented rate.
• The small farming community was gradually urbanized as the city expanded.
• Economic opportunities tend to urbanize populations.
• They want to urbanize the area by building shopping centers and apartments.