What term describes the process of city building and the movement of people to cities?

The term that describes the process of city building and the movement of people to cities is urbanization. Urbanization occurs as populations grow in urban areas due to migration from rural regions, often driven by the search for employment, better living standards, and various opportunities offered by city life. During the Industrial Revolution, this phenomenon was particularly pronounced as industries grew, leading to the establishment of factories and the subsequent influx of workers seeking jobs.

Industrialization, while closely related, specifically refers to the transition from agrarian economies to industrial ones and encompasses the development of industries rather than the movement of people itself. Suburbanization refers to the growth of areas on the outskirts of cities, while ruralization is not a commonly used term in this context and would imply a movement back towards rural areas instead of urban ones. Thus, urbanization is the most accurate term for this process.