What does the term 'Conurbation' mean in urban development?

The term 'Conurbation' refers specifically to the process of merging metropolitan areas, which typically occurs when multiple cities or towns grow and expand to the point where they physically connect with each other. This can often lead to a vast, continuous urban area that can exhibit characteristics of a large city, while still retaining some distinct features of its component cities.

In urban development, understanding conurbation is crucial because it affects infrastructure, transportation, housing, and economic dynamics across merged regions. As different urban centers combine, they create challenges and opportunities for planning and development, necessitating thorough consideration of how best to accommodate population density, public services, and shared resources.

The other choices represent different concepts in urban development. The design of neighborhoods pertains to more localized planning rather than the merging of larger areas. A large urban park focuses on green spaces within cities, while city design principles encompass a broader range of foundational urban planning ideas and theories rather than the specific interaction and merging of urban areas that defines conurbation.