A rapidly growing city that remains essentially suburban in character even as it reaches populations typical of a large city

• A. World city
• B. Boomburbs
• C. Megacity
• D. Metacity

Answer: (B)

This question tests understanding of boomburbs—rapidly growing suburban cities on the urban fringe that reach population sizes typical of a large city while staying essentially suburban in character. Boomburbs expand outward from a metro area’s core, building big residential neighborhoods and substantial economic activity, but keep the land-use and transportation pattern of suburbs: car dependence, lower density, single-family housing, and sprawling development. They often develop their own shopping, office parks, and even “downtown” feel, yet they don’t merge into a dense central city.

That’s what sets them apart from world cities, which are defined by global economic influence and dense cores; megacities, which are defined by large population size; and metacities, which refer to extremely large urban agglomerations. So the description best matches boomburbs.