Final answer:
The term urbanization refers to the movement of people to cities, which occurs as a result of the growth of the factory system and the resulting job opportunities and lifestyle changes. This was facilitated by technological advances such as steam power and the assembly line method, leading to unprecedented urban expansion during the Industrial Era.
Step-by-step explanation:
The growth of the factory system led to urbanization, which signifies city building and the migration of people to cities in search of work and better living standards. The development of steam power and the factory system meant that businesses were no longer reliant on waterways for transportation and could build nearer to urban centers, sparking a pronounced move from rural to urban life.
This migration was further amplified by the advent of the assembly line, which revolutionized production methods. Workers began to perform specific tasks within the manufacturing process, leading to increased efficiency and speed in the production of goods. Cities like New York and London saw massive population growth, becoming diverse melting pots of culture and socio-economic classes during the Industrial Era.
As cities expanded, they transformed from industrial to postindustrial societies, leading to shifts such as gentrification, where more affluent classes renovated less affluent neighborhoods, often displacing the existing residents. Overall, the worldwide urban growth spurt resulted in a significant proportion of the global population residing in urban areas.