Implications of Urban Sprawl

Introduction Urban Sprawl is a highly debated topic throughout the nation. Defined as landconsumptive, dispersed, auto-dependent land development made up of homogenous segregated uses: housing subdivisions, shopping centers, office/business par s, large civic institutions, and roadways heavily dependent on roads! "#andolph, page $%&. 'urther, sprawl is a form of urbani(ation distinguished by commercial strips, low density, and a minimum of public open space ")illham, page *&. +riginally, development of suburbs was a solution for families to begin new communities free from the characteristics of overcrowded and congested cities. Unfortunately, the result in decades of increased population growth and unplanned development has severely affected the nation. ,his essay e-plains the historical motives that created much of the suburban landscape seen today. .t also presents the environmental, human health, and social impacts of sprawl. .n conclusion, . introduce the idea of sustainable development alternatives that re/uire sta eholder collaboration for success.

Development of U.S. Sprawl ,he evolution of U.S. sprawl began through the separation of land uses through the creation of land (one ordinances in the early 01223s within 4ew 5or 6ity. ,he primary

purpose of (oning was to separate land uses, eeping residents away from the unpleasant and often environmentally harmful industrial factories ")illham, page 78&. 9ith the development of railroad access, e-travagant suburbs were developed to cater the needs of the elite. 'ollowing the popularity of automobiles, e-tensive roadways development and advancements in building technology, suburban living became more affordable for the :merican public ")illham, page 7%&. Demand for entry level single family housing greatly increased with 9orld 9ar .. servicemen and their families ")ans, page 0&. ,he most famous proponent of urban decentrali(ation ;establishing communities outside the city, 'ran <loyd 9right strongly believed that healthy communities needed to be established far from harmful effects of cities. 'actors contributing towards the e-odus from cities include economic growth, inade/uate education systems, congestion, social decay, crime, racial tensions, (oning laws that segregate uses, and federal policies subsidi(ing mortgages "=ullard, page $*&. >veryday people could now live the :merican dream of a home, yard and automobile. .n 01?8, developer 9illiam <evitt capitali(ed on this opportunity and began mass production of a new city of 0%,?22 6ape 6od bo-es and ranches, each on its own 8,222 s/uare foot lot! in 4ew 5or ")illham, page $*&. 'ollowing e-tensive highway systems, thousands of similar types of mass produced and aesthetically similar communities developed around cities throughout the nation.

Impacts of Urban Sprawl

Unplanned and irresponsible sprawl developments have had severe affects on the natural environment, human health, and social divides. Due to massive land consumption, wetlands, riparian land, forests, and agricultural land are converted to subdivisions, shopping centers and roads. ,hese lands no longer perform natural processes crucial to ecosystem health. 'ragmented land reduces native habitat for wildlife including over 0222 listed endangered and threatened species such as the five northwest @acific Salmon, )ray 9olf, and 'lorida @anther "US 'ish and 9ildlife website&. 4ative vegetation can be displaced by invasive species that spread outside the yards of suburban homes. 9ith a lac of alternatives, personal automobiles are the primary mode of transportation. #esidents conduct more driving, contributing towards traffic congestion, unsustainable oil consumption, degradation of air /uality, and climate change. @ublic health is another maAor concern of sprawled communities. :s a result of spending more time and money commuting in vehicles, a sedentary lifestyle can result in obesity and increase of stress levels. Sources of drin ing water are vulnerable to contamination. 6onverted land reduces natural water filtration resulting in runoff "sedimentation and chemicals& penetrating rivers, la es, and the ocean. :s forest fires continue to increase each year, sprawled communities developed adAacent to forested land can be subAected to high fire threats "#andolph, page ??&. Social divides of race and class are common throughout sprawl. ,he 9hite >-odus! to suburbs in the 01B2s was facilitated by federal mortgage subsidies that assisted movement out of the cities. 'ederal restrictions made lending difficult to :frican :mericans and other minority groups who desired to move to the suburbs "=ullard, page

$&. Sprawl communities can have the inability to deal with pluralism - failure to accept other lifestyles that represent the diversity of :merican society ")ans, page 8B&. ,he conse/uence is the continuous search for compatible people and the reAections of those who are different ")ans, page 8B&. Cinority and low-income populations continue to primarily reside within the city limits. Alternatives to Urban Sprawl #esponsible options for sustainable development are necessary to meet population growth as well as environmental and social needs. :lternatives must also incorporate collaboration between local government, private industry, and non-profit organi(ations in order to successfully sustain development for current and future needs. :lternatives to sprawl can incorporate both the ideas of new urbanism and centrali(ed development. ,he development design idea of new urbanism is the restoration of both the physical design and social values of :merican neighborhoods! "'ulton, page B&. ,he design reorients communities to be pedestrian friendly and transit focused while retaining open space. : greater integration of land uses including mi-ed income residences, wor places, shops, and schools are retained at a neighborhood level "'ulton, page B&. 6entrali(ed development within cities loo s to revitali(e e-isting infrastructure while preserving undeveloped land. 6ity dwellers would travel less since wor place and residence would be closer in vicinity "=reheny, page 72&. #esidents would hopefully choose from already offered and accessible alternative transportation options that ultimately reduces vehicle emissions.

,hrough collaboration, there is a greater incentive for the different sta eholders to wor together. :s the regulatory entity, the government will need to meet needs of all constituents. 4on-profits organi(ations "e.g. ; 6ascade <and 6onservancy, ,he ,rust for @ublic <and, low-incoming housing organi(ations, etc.& have the ability to advocate for policy reform, garner public support, and obtain political bac ing. .t is in the best interest for private industries to wor with various sta eholders to gain support for a development proAect. .n addition to regulatory mandates, incentives such as tasubsidies, grants, low interest loans, and land swaps can be offered to help developers commit to responsible and sustainable development.

Literature Cited
=reheny, Cichael "0118&, 6entrists, Decentrists and 6ompromisers: Diew on the 'uture of Urban 'orm!, pp. 0$-$B, in ,he 6ompact 6ity: : Sustainable Urban 'orm, <ondon: > E '4 Spon. =ullard, #obert "7222& .ntroduction: :natomy of Sprawl! 6hapter 0, pp. 0-01 in Sprawl 6ity. #obert =ullard, )lenn Fohnson and :ngel ,orres, eds., 9ashington D.6.: .sland @ress )ans, Gerbert "018%& <evittown and :merica! in ,he 6ity #eader. #ichard ,. <e)ates and 'rederic Stout, eds., pp.8?-8*. <ondon, UH: #outledge. )illham, +liver "7227&, The Limitless City. 9ashington D.6.: .sland @ress #andolph, Fohn "722?& <and Use @lanning for >nvironmental Canagement! 6hapter $, pp. $8-B7, in >nvironmental <and Use @lanning and Canagement. 9ashington D.6.: .sland @ress.