Urban Sprawl

Definition§

Urban sprawl is a pejorative term for low-density development occurring in suburban and fringe urban areas. This phenomenon is characterized by:

1. Distance from Employment and Commercial Centers: Development spread out from the central business district and key commercial centers.
2. Dependence on Automobile Travel: Increased reliance on personal vehicles due to inadequate public transportation options.
3. Extended Public Infrastructure: Requirements for roads, utilities, and other public services expand as urban areas spread.
4. Little In-fill Development: New constructions rarely occur within existing urban fabric, instead opting for undeveloped land on the periphery.

Examples§

1. Boom Town Expansion: A rapidly growing suburban area where housing developments and small commercial centers sprout across a network of county highways, leading to widespread urban sprawl. Residents frequently lament the inefficient growth management.
2. Sunbelt City: A city in the southern U.S., where unchecked suburban expansion led to high traffic congestion and extended commute times due to urban sprawl.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)§

1. What are the main causes of urban sprawl?

   • Urban sprawl is primarily caused by population growth, increased automobile use, affordable residential land outside the city center, and inadequate urban planning.

2. What are the environmental impacts of urban sprawl?

   • Urban sprawl can lead to habitat loss, increased pollution, greater road traffic, and higher carbon emissions due to the reliance on personal vehicles.

3. Can urban sprawl be controlled?

   • Yes, with effective urban planning which includes promoting in-fill development, strengthening public transportation networks, and ensuring sustainable land use practices, urban sprawl can be mitigated.

Related Terms§

1. In-fill Development:

   • Redevelopment or new development within existing urban areas. Focuses on making optimum use of existing infrastructure and reducing urban sprawl.

2. Smart Growth:

   • An urban planning model that focuses on sustainable development practices to create more livable communities, preventing urban sprawl.

3. Suburbanization:

   • The process of population movement from within cities to the suburbs, leading to urban sprawl.

Online Resources§

1. Urban Sprawl - National Geographic
2. Environmental Impact of Urban Sprawl - EPA
3. Urban Planning Articles - Planetizen

References§

• Bruegmann, Robert. Sprawl: A Compact History. The University of Chicago Press, 2005.
• Duany, Andres, Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk, and Jeff Speck. Suburban Nation: The Rise of Sprawl and the Decline of the American Dream. North Point Press, 2001.

Suggested Books for Further Studies§

• Jackson, Kenneth T. Crabgrass Frontier: The Suburbanization of the United States. Oxford University Press, 1985.
• Gillham, Oliver. The Limitless City: A Primer on the Urban Sprawl Debate. Island Press, 2002.
• Downs, Anthony. Stuck in Traffic: Coping with Peak-Hour Traffic Congestion. Brookings Institution Press, 2004.

Real Estate Basics: Urban Sprawl Fundamentals Quiz§