Stedelijker

Stedelijker is a Dutch adjective used as the comparative form of stedelijk, meaning more urban or city-like. It describes attributes associated with cities or urban life, such as higher population density, developed infrastructure, or extensive services, in comparison with rural or less urban conditions. The term is commonly used in urban planning, sociology, journalism, and discussions of city development.

Formation and usage: In Dutch, comparatives are often formed by adding -er to the adjective, yielding stedelijker. In many contexts, however, writers also use the periphrastic form meer stedelijk to express the same idea. Both forms are grammatically correct; the choice depends on style, rhythm, and formality. Stedelijker tends to be more concise and is frequent in planning documents and analytic writing, while meer stedelijk can sound more neutral or descriptive.

Usage in context: De wijk is stedelijker geworden door de komst van winkelvoorzieningen en openbaar vervoer. Het centrum is stedelijker dan het platteland. In rapporten wordt gesproken over een steeds stedelijker verstedelijkingsproces en een toenemend stedelijk karakter van delen van de regio.

Nuances and related terms: Stedelijker carries a neutral to positive connotation related to urban features, though it can imply gentrification or pressure on rural areas. Related terms include stedelijkheid (urbanity), stedelijk gebied (urban area), and stedelijke groei (urban growth).