Final answer:
The Industrial Revolution led to urbanization as coal-powered steam engines allowed factories to be built near urban centers, drawing workers and reshaping cities with a diverse, growing population.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Industrial Revolution encouraged urbanization because it made cities into centers of production and commerce. The advent of steam power, fueled by coal, allowed factories to be located away from rivers and close to urban centers. As factories sprung up, they offered employment that attracted people from rural areas and immigrants, leading to rapid city growth.
Urban centers expanded greatly during this time, with mass production drawing workers into the cities, creating a significant population shift from rural to urban areas. Technological advances in agriculture decreased the need for rural labor, which, coupled with the introduction of machinery in industries, caused many people to move in search of better economic opportunities. Moreover, improvements in industrial processes, such as the Bessemer process for mass steel production and the invention of the elevator, transformed city landscapes with the emergence of skyscrapers and expanding infrastructure.