Final answer:
The anthropological study in question is known as Urban Anthropology, which examines urban and rural environments focusing on various political, economic, social, and environmental aspects of living in cities. Urban Geography plays a role in understanding the differences between these environments and how cities have evolved to meet diverse human needs.
Step-by-step explanation:
The anthropological study of life in and around world cities, including urban social problems and adaptation to city life, falls under the field of Urban Anthropology. It is a branch of anthropology that focuses on the social, political, and economic relationships in urban environments. Urban Anthropologists strive to understand how various political, economic, social, and environmental changes impact urban and rural areas. This includes examining the continuum between rural and urban environments, the way cities function, and the challenges and changes brought on by urbanization. Importantly, it considers how a population behaves when it reaches a high density, often around 100,000 people, and the specific human behaviors that emerge from urban living.
Urban Geography is also pivotal in understanding modern societies, as it sheds light on urban and rural differences and the dynamics of city evolution and function. Environmental considerations are especially critical in cities, where issues like waste management have different implications than in less populated areas. Given the increasing world population and its impact on the planet, these studies have never been more relevant. The anthropological approach integrates multiple facets of human life, including the interconnections with the natural world and the diverse social environments we inhabit.