Urban spread, which refers to the outward expansion of cities and their suburban communities, can also be described using a variety of synonyms. One such synonym is urban sprawl, which emphasizes the haphazard and often uncontrolled growth of cities. Another synonym is suburbanization, which highlights the process by which people move from urban areas to suburban ones. Megalopolis also describes the interconnected network of cities and suburbs that often make up a larger metropolitan area. Finally, uncontrolled growth, the urban heat island effect, and urban expansion are among other synonyms that help capture the impact of this phenomenon on the environment and quality of life in urban areas.