Key terms & definitions

The number of people living in an urban area.

An increase in the number of people living in towns and cities.

The dominance of one urban area within a country, giving it disproportionate economic and/or political influence compared with other urban areas.

Creating a new identity for an urban area, often by combining physical regeneration with changes to its image and reputation.

Investment and redevelopment intended to improve an urban area’s physical environment, economy and living conditions.

The improvement or redevelopment of existing urban areas to meet changing economic, social and environmental needs.

The gradual transition from densely built-up urban areas through suburbs and the rural–urban fringe to countryside.

The transition zone at the edge of a built-up area, where urban and rural land uses meet.

The outward spread of a town or city’s built-up area into surrounding countryside.

A route across an urban area along which observations are collected to investigate changes between locations.

An area within a town or city with a recognisable combination of land uses, buildings and community characteristics.

A nitrogen-containing waste product made from ammonia in the liver and excreted mainly by the kidneys in urine.

A nitrogen-containing waste product formed when excess proteins are broken down, which is removed from the body by excretion.

A hard, rigid thermosetting polymer with good electrical and thermal insulating properties.

One of two tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder.

The tube that carries urine from the bladder to outside the body.

The organs and tubes that produce, carry, store and release urine.

The liquid containing water, ions and urea that remains after filtration and selective reabsorption and is excreted from the body.

Charts that medieval physicians used to compare a patient's urine, especially its colour, with standard samples in order to diagnose an imbalance of the four humours.

A Uniform Resource Locator: an address identifying a resource, such as a web page, and how to access it.

How easily a person can understand and operate a product.

A date marking used when eating a food after the stated date could pose a safety risk.

Energy transferred in the way intended for the device or process.

Energy transferred in a way that fulfils the intended purpose of a device or process.

An energy transfer that contributes to the intended purpose of a device or process.

Energy transferred in a way that serves the intended purpose of a device or process.

Energy transferred in the form or to the store required for the device's intended purpose.

How far a source helps answer a particular historical question.

The part of the input energy transferred in the way required for the device's intended purpose.

The energy transferred by a device or system for its intended purpose.