Study · Academic vocabularyModule 10
Urban Development
Level B1–B2
Learning goals
- By the end of this module, you will be able to recognise and use 20 useful terms related to cities and urban planning. You will practise their meanings, word forms and common collocations in academic contexts.
Step 1 — Read and discover
Read the passage and notice how the bold words are used. Then answer the questions.
Planning better cities
As cities expand, urbanisation changes how people live and travel. In many places, population density is rising faster than the infrastructure needed to support it. The result can be congestion, long journeys and pressure on public services. Careful zoning helps planners decide where homes, workplaces and industry should be located. However, strict separation between residential and commercial areas may force people to commute long distances.
A more connected city may include a pedestrian centre, reliable transport and everyday amenities in the vicinity of homes. Mixed-use neighbourhoods combine shops, offices and housing, while high-rise buildings can provide homes where land is limited. Yet building upwards is not a complete answer: decisions about land-use must also consider parks, sunlight and the needs of local residents.
A municipal government may support redevelopment or renewal projects to improve neglected districts. These projects can create useful spaces, but rising property prices may lead to the displacement of existing residents. Planners should also address overcrowding and consider decentralisation, which moves some services and jobs away from the centre. Successful urban planning depends not only on new buildings but also on whether people can afford to remain in the communities they know.
Check your understanding
1. What can happen when population growth is faster than the development of city systems?Try again
1. What can happen when population growth is faster than the development of city systems?
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2. What is one possible advantage of a mixed-use neighbourhood?Try again
2. What is one possible advantage of a mixed-use neighbourhood?
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3. What risk can accompany redevelopment?Try again
3. What risk can accompany redevelopment?
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Step 2 — Explore the vocabulary
Study the 20 word cards, including their meanings, examples, word families and collocations.
urbanisation
nounB1–B2The growth of towns and cities as more people live in urban areas.
“Rapid urbanisation can place pressure on local services.”
- rapid urbanisation
- urbanisation rate
Word family: urbanise, urbanised
infrastructure
nounB1–B2The basic systems and structures a place needs, such as roads, water and public transport.
“The city plans to improve its transport infrastructure.”
- transport infrastructure
- public infrastructure
Word family: infrastructural
congestion
nounB1–B2A situation in which a place or system becomes too crowded to move through easily.
“Traffic congestion is worst during the morning commute.”
- traffic congestion
- ease congestion
Word family: congested
density
nounB1–B2The number of people or things in a particular area.
“High population density can increase demand for housing.”
- population density
- high density
Word family: dense, densely
zoning
nounB1–B2Rules that determine how different areas of a town or city may be used.
“Zoning rules can separate factories from residential streets.”
- zoning rules
- zoning policy
Word family: zone, zoned
pedestrian
noun/adjectiveB1–B2A person who is walking; relating to people who walk.
“The new pedestrian area makes the town centre safer.”
- pedestrian crossing
- pedestrian area
Word family: pedestrianise, pedestrianised
commute
verb/nounB1–B2To travel regularly between home and work or study.
“Many residents commute by train rather than by car.”
- daily commute
- commute to work
Word family: commuter
residential
adjectiveB1–B2Designed or used mainly for people to live in.
“The council restricted heavy traffic in residential streets.”
- residential area
- residential building
Word family: residence, resident
commercial
adjectiveB1–B2Connected with business, trade or activities intended to make money.
“A former warehouse became a commercial centre.”
- commercial district
- commercial property
Word family: commerce, commercially
redevelopment
nounB1–B2The process of changing and improving an area or building, often by rebuilding it.
“The redevelopment of the old station created new public spaces.”
- urban redevelopment
- redevelopment project
Word family: redevelop, redeveloped
municipal
adjectiveB1–B2Relating to the government of a town or city.
“Municipal services include waste collection and street lighting.”
- municipal government
- municipal services
Word family: municipality
vicinity
nounB1–B2The area near a particular place.
“Several shops have opened in the vicinity of the station.”
- in the vicinity of
- local vicinity
Word family: vicinal
amenities
plural nounB1–B2Useful or pleasant facilities and services in a place.
“Parks, libraries and clinics are important neighbourhood amenities.”
- local amenities
- basic amenities
Word family: amenity
displacement
nounB1–B2The process of forcing people to leave the place where they live or work.
“Rising rents can cause the displacement of long-term residents.”
- forced displacement
- displacement of residents
Word family: displace, displaced
renewal
nounB1–B2The process of improving an area or making it active and useful again.
“Urban renewal can bring empty buildings back into use.”
- urban renewal
- renewal scheme
Word family: renew, renewable
overcrowding
nounB1–B2A situation in which too many people occupy a space.
“Overcrowding in buses makes daily travel uncomfortable.”
- severe overcrowding
- overcrowding in housing
Word family: overcrowded, overcrowd
decentralisation
nounB1–B2The process of moving power, services or activities away from one central place.
“Decentralisation may reduce the need to travel into the city centre.”
- administrative decentralisation
- decentralisation of services
Word family: decentralise, decentralised
land-use
nounB1–B2The way an area of land is used, for example for housing, industry or parks.
“Good land-use planning can protect green spaces.”
- land-use planning
- land-use policy
Word family: land use
high-rise
adjective/nounB1–B2A tall building with many floors.
“High-rise housing can accommodate many households on limited land.”
- high-rise building
- high-rise development
Word family: rise, high-rise
mixed-use
adjectiveB1–B2Combining different functions, such as homes, shops and offices, in one area or building.
“A mixed-use district allows people to live near shops and workplaces.”
- mixed-use development
- mixed-use building
Word family: mix, mixed
Step 3 — Meaning in context
Choose the best answer, then check your choices.
1. The city introduced a new zoning policy.Try again
1. The city introduced a new zoning policy.
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2. The new library provides important amenities for local families.Try again
2. The new library provides important amenities for local families.
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3. Some families experienced displacement when rents increased sharply.Try again
3. Some families experienced displacement when rents increased sharply.
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4. The council encouraged decentralisation of health services.Try again
4. The council encouraged decentralisation of health services.
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5. A municipal decision affects the management of the town.Try again
5. A municipal decision affects the management of the town.
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Step 4 — Complete the sentences
Type the missing word or phrase. Legitimate spelling variants and harmless capitalisation differences are accepted.
1.The city’s transport has not kept pace with population growth.Try again✓
2.Heavy traffic is common during the evening rush hour.Try again✓
3.Many people to work from nearby towns.Try again✓
4.The council plans to the old market area.Try again✓
5.The new housing block is a building with twelve floors.Try again✓
6.A careful policy can protect parks and farmland.Try again✓
7.Shops and cafés are located in the of the station.Try again✓
8.The city introduced a scheme that combines homes, shops and offices.Try again✓
Step 5 — Word families
Choose the correct form of the word in brackets.
1. The area is __________ populated, with many residents living close together. (DENSE)Try again
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2. The new __________ district includes several apartment blocks. (RESIDE)Try again
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3. The council hopes to __________ the abandoned public square. (RENEW)Try again
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4. The street has become an important __________ centre. (COMMERCE)Try again
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5. The buses are often __________ during peak hours. (CROWD)Try again
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Step 6 — Collocations
Match each beginning with the most natural ending.
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2. ✓
3. ✓
4. ✓
5. ✓
Step 7 — Quick review
Choose the best answer for each question.
1. What does overcrowding describe?Try again
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2. Which phrase means “the process of improving an old or neglected urban area”?Try again
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3. Which is most likely to be residential?Try again
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4. What does commute usually mean?Try again
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5. Which term describes a building or district combining homes, shops and offices?Try again
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