Urban Sprawl

Urban Sprawl, outward spread of built-up areas caused by their expansion. It is the result of urbanization.

Los Angeles

Sprawl uses more land than necessary has a lower population density than traditional cities and towns (e.g., fewer people in larger houses) sound familiar? creates a dependence on cars for almost everything

Urban sprawl near ParisParis

Typically a store or a movie theater is not within walking distance from your home Sprawl is characterized by repetitive one-story commercial buildings surrounded by acres of parking

Jordan Landing, Utah's largest shopping center. The first phase opened in late It is considered to be symptomatic of the sprawl being experienced in the Salt Lake City area. The Census reported that the south end of the metropolitan area had gone from 75,782 residents in 1990 to 202,876 by 2004 and is expected to more than double by 2020.Jordan Landing2000 Salt Lake City

Traditional urban centers and towns have higher population density than surrounding areas offer mixed use buildings (businesses and homes on the same block or at least within walking distance of each other); are pedestrian-friendly

New York

are served by public facilities, services, and spaces (e.g., public transportation or community centers) consist of many different types of housing and businesses have centers for community activities

How sprawl impacts our quality of life: Increase in auto dependency, fuel consumption, and air pollution Increased commuting times and costs

Reduced opportunity for public transportation services Increase in health problems in children and adults due to sedentary life style

18.3 million and counting

More time in cars and less time for family, friends and recreation Loss of sense of place and community decline resulting in: –Fragmented communities and a decline in social interaction –Isolation of some populations, such as poor and elderly, in urban areas

How sprawl impacts our economy: Excessive public costs for roads and utility line extensions and service delivery to dispersed development. Decline in economic opportunity in traditional centers Premature disinvestment in existing buildings, facilities and services in urban and village centers

Relocation of jobs to peripheral areas at some distance from population centers Decline in number of jobs in some sectors, such as retail. Reduced ability to finance public services in urban centers

Why is sprawl bad? More Pollution Loss of wildlife habitat Traffic Jams Farmland Loss Increased Taxes Increased School Cost Deterioration of Downtown Loss of Community