urban areas; city areas
Used in administrative and statistical contexts to refer to areas within city boundaries, often contrasted with 郡部 (rural areas).
The population of urban areas is increasing.
This district is classified as part of the urban area.
この調査は市部と郡部を比較している。
This survey compares urban and rural areas.
The population of urban areas is increasing year by year.
市部 refers to areas within city boundaries, while 郡部 refers to rural county areas outside cities, and the two are standard contrasting terms in Japanese demographic statistics.
Compound of 市 (city) and 部 (section, part), referring to the city portion of a region.