What does the term "suburbanization" refer to?

Suburbanization refers to the phenomenon where people move from urban areas to the suburbs, resulting in the expansion of residential communities that lie on the outskirts of cities. This process is often driven by several factors, including the desire for larger living spaces, improved quality of life, and the appeal of lower housing costs in suburban regions compared to urban centers.

During the suburbanization wave, particularly in the mid-20th century in the United States, many families sought to escape the congestion and perceived issues of urban living, such as crime and pollution. As this population shift occurred, it led to the development of infrastructure and services in these new suburban areas, transforming them into vibrant communities with schools, parks, and shopping centers.

This concept contrasts with the notions of rural growth and urban decline, as suburbanization specifically highlights the transition and expansion from urban centers to surrounding residential areas, thus making "the growth of residential areas on the outskirts of a city" the correct interpretation of the term.