Final answer:
The growth of urban spaces and cities is defined by the term urbanization, which encompasses both the expansion of urban areas and the challenges that accompany it such as congestion and pollution.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term that defines the 'growth of urban spaces and cities' is urbanization. Urbanization refers to the process by which rural areas become urbanized as a result of economic, social, and cultural changes. This phenomenon is characterized by the expansion of urban spaces and the increased density of human structures such as houses, commercial buildings, roads, bridges, and other infrastructure. The urban morphology of a city, which is how a city is organized in space, significantly influences its cultural, political, and social life. Cities act as agglomeration economies, benefiting from the concentration of population and economic activity. However, urbanization also brings challenges like transportation congestion, air pollution, and the management of urban services.