| Term | Definition |
| urban | pertaining to, or designating a city or town. |
| metropolitan | of or pertaining to a large city, its surrounding suburbs, and other neighboring communities. |
| municipality | a city, town, or other district possessing corporate existence and usually its own local government. |
| borough | an incorporated municipality smaller than a city |
| colonial | of, concerning, or pertaining to a colony or colonies |
| LRT | Light Rail Transit |
| urbanization | the social process whereby cities grow and societies become more urban |
| subsidize | To assist or support with a subsidy |
| land use | how land in a city is, or could be, use |
| zoning laws | generally passed by municipal governments, that control the kind and amount of development in an area |
| urban sprawl | the growth of low density development outward from the edges of a city |
| residential density | a measure of the number of housing units per hectare or square kilometre |
| arterial road | a major road in the city that is below an expressway in terms of capacity and speed |
| winter-city concept | the idea that cities should be designed and built so that they are more liveable during harsh Canadian winte |
| reeve | an administrative officer of a town or district |
| grant | something granted, as a privilege or right, a sum of money, or a tract of land |