Urbanize (verb)

1. To develop or make urban in character; to make into a city or town; to convert land into urban areas or settlements.
2. To become urbanized; to become a city or town.

Origin:

From the latin word "urbanus", meaning "of or belonging to a city".

Examples:

1. The government plans to urbanize the rural areas to accommodate the growing population.
2. The countryside is gradually urbanizing as more people move to the city.
3. The region is being urbanized at a rapid pace.
4. The city has been urbanized over the past century.
5. Urbanization has led to the destruction of natural habitats and loss of biodiversity.