Urban geography is a specialized skill that involves the study of human settlements and their spatial organization, including cities and towns, their social, economic and cultural characteristics, and the physical environment. It involves analyzing the complex relationships between people and the built environment, as well as the factors that shape urban growth and change over time. Urban geographers use a range of methods and tools, from GIS and spatial analysis to ethnographic research and urban planning techniques, to understand and help improve cities and urban areas.