The rural-urban fringe is the transitional zone between rural and urban areas, where urban and rural land uses mix. This area typically experiences competition between agricultural activities and urban development. It may have characteristics of both rural and urban environments.

Many cities are expanding into the rural fringe as urban development spreads into previously untouched areas.

The rural-urban fringe, also known as the outskirts or the urban hinterland, can be described as the "landscape interfacebetween town and country", or also as the transition zone where urban and rural uses mix and often clash. Alternatively, it can be viewed as a landscape type in its own right, one forged from an interaction of urban and rural land uses.

The city's boundaries expanded to encompass the rural fringe, allowing for both urban development and preservation of natural landscapes on the outskirts.

Detroit's rural fringe consists of farmlands, undeveloped areas, and low-density residential neighborhoods. These areas often have a blend of agricultural activities, open spaces, and occasional small towns or villages. The rural fringe serves as a transition zone between the urban center of Detroit and more remote rural areas.