Urbanization refers to the process by which an increasing proportion of a nation’s population begins to reside in urban areas, resulting from both natural growth within cities and migration from rural regions. It involves the physical expansion of cities, growth of urban infrastructure, and transformation of economic and social structures to support non-agricultural activities. Urbanization is often linked with industrialization, economic development, and modernization, as cities become centers of employment, innovation, services, and governance. In the context of sustainable development and smart cities, urbanization is not merely about population movement but about managing this demographic shift in ways that ensure environmental sustainability, economic opportunity, and a high quality of life for all residents. When planned and governed effectively, urbanization drives growth, reduces poverty, and creates hubs of innovation. However, when unmanaged, it leads to overcrowding, pollution, resource stress, and social disparities. One of the major issues of contemporary urbanization is the rapid and unplanned growth of cities. In many developing nations, urban population growth far exceeds the capacity of governments to provide adequate infrastructure. This results in the expansion of informal settlements, or slums, where residents often lack access to clean water, sanitation, electricity, and secure housing. Such settlements are highly vulnerable to health risks, environmental hazards, and social insecurity. The absence of proper land-use planning accelerates congestion, traffic bottlenecks, and inefficient urban layouts. As cities expand horizontally without strategic planning, they consume agricultural land and green spaces, contributing to loss of biodiversity and