Definition: Conurbation

From New World Encyclopedia

Etymology

From Latin con- (“together”) + urbs (“city”) + -ation. Coined by Scottish biologist, sociologist, and geographer Patrick Geddes in 1915.

Noun

conurbation (plural conurbations)

  1. a continuous aggregation of built-up urban communities created as a result of urban sprawl

Usage notes

A Dictionary of Geography distinguishes between uninuclear conurbations (conurbations which have developed around one urban area) and polynuclear conurbations (conurbations which have developed from the aggregation of several urban areas).

Related terms

  • suburban
  • urban
  • urbane
  • urbanite


Credits

New World Encyclopedia writers and editors copied and adjusted this Wiktionary entry in accordance with NWE standards. This article abides by terms of the Creative Commons CC-by-sa 3.0 License (CC-by-sa), which may be used and disseminated with proper attribution. Credit for this article is due to both New World Encyclopedia contributors and the selfless volunteer contributors of the Wikimedia Foundation. To cite this article click here for a list acceptable citing formats.The history of earlier contributions at Wiktionary is accessible to researchers here: