suburbanization

/səˌbɜːrbənəˈzeɪʃən/
noun
  1. The process by which areas on the outskirts of cities become developed into suburbs, often involving population growth and the construction of housing and infrastructure.
    • Historians study suburbanization to understand changes in American social and economic life.
    • The suburbanization of the region led to increased traffic and longer commutes.
    • Suburbanization accelerated after World War II as families moved to newly built housing developments.