When ONS reported the results of the 2011 UK census, it used the term "built-up area" rather than the term "urban area" as used in previous censuses.
Built-up area sub-divisions are also identified to provide greater detail in the data, especially in the larger conurbations.
[1]In reporting the 2001 census, the ONS gave a clearer definition of the term "built-up" as follows: This comprises permanent structures and the land on which they are situated, including land enclosed by or closely associated with such structures; transportation corridors such as roads, railways and canals which have built up land on one or both sides, or which link built-up sites which are less than 200 metres apart; transportation features such as airports and operational airfields, railway yards, motorway service areas and car parks; mine buildings, excluding mineral workings and quarries; and any area completely surrounded by builtup sites.
Areas such as playing fields and golf courses are excluded unless completely surrounded by builtup sites...[2]The list below shows the most populated urban areas in the United Kingdom as defined by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), but as readily referenced at Citypopulation.de.
The list includes all urban areas with a population in excess of 100,000 at the 2011 census.