noun
urban area; urban district
Refers to the part of a city or region that is built up, as opposed to suburban or rural areas. Often used in contrast with 郊外 (suburbs) or 地方 (countryside).
都市部では家賃が高い。
Rent is high in urban areas.
都市部への人口集中が問題になっている。
The concentration of population in urban areas has become a problem.
地方 means 'rural area' or 'region', often used in contrast to 都市部 when discussing urban-rural differences.
Compound of 都市 (city) and 部 (part, section).