What does centralization refer to in urban ecology?

Centralization in urban ecology refers to the phenomenon where there is an increase in population or activity at a specific geographic center within a city or urban space. This concept is often associated with the growth of metropolitan areas where economic, social, and cultural functions are concentrated in particular zones, such as downtown districts or major commercial hubs.

As populations move toward these centers, they often seek proximity to job opportunities, amenities, and services that are typically more abundant in urban cores. This clustering effect leads to higher density populations and can significantly influence urban planning, service delivery, and transportation systems.

In contrast, the other concepts do not directly encapsulate the idea of centralization. The entry of high-income residents pertains to changes in demographics and socio-economic status within a neighborhood but doesn’t specifically address the geographical aspect of centralization. Improving infrastructure is a broader term related to urban development and does not inherently imply centralization. Lastly, the decline of existing populations relates more to trends of suburbanization or urban decay rather than an active concentration of people and resources at a center.