Sustainable Communities and Lifestyles The Impacts of U.S. “Urban Sprawl” What is it? “The Suburbs” When did it begin and why? How is the environment changed? What are the consequences of “exurban migration”? Why Clustered Living and Development”?

Urban Sprawl Expansion of metropolitan areas (suburbs). More houses, shopping centers and highways farther from city centers. Lack of overall land-use planning. Facilitates extravagant consumption of resources. –Energy –Materials Loss of “green-space” and farmland Increased pollution (smog)

Factors That Contributed To Urban Sprawl - post-WWII City overcrowding & pollution Farmland sale and conversion Cheap accessible mortgages Easy car ownership Post-war savings

Highway Trust Fund (1956)

Rate of Urbanization in Texas Country Mouse to City Mouse

Environmental Impacts of Urban Sprawl Development on forests and grasslands = –Reduced water quality –Reduced air quality –Fewer renewable resources –Wildlife loss (biodiversity loss) Hydrologic Cycle Modification –Increased runoff, erosion, flooding –Reduced water quality and water table level Ecosystem simplification and destabilization

Wildlife Loss Mechanisms of Highways and Development Direct habitat destruction Habitat fragmentation –Territories too small –Migration interrupted Access to water prevented Highway fatalities (them not us)

Urban Wildlife Management Problems Changed societal attitudes towards animals Urban cougar, deer, and geese populations

Environmental Impacts of Urban Sprawl (Figure 24-6)

Indicators of Urban Blight/Decay Economic and ethnic segregation Eroding tax base Loss of social services Lowered property values Higher property tax rates (improvements will result in more taxes) Deterioration of central city infrastructure Decline in education quality Loss of jobs and self esteem More drug trafficking and violent crime

Consequence of Exurban Migration = Urban Blight/Decay!

What Makes Cities Livable? Why Clustered Living? Minimal commuting distance Reduced automobile traffic Improved access by foot or bicycle Improve mass transit Efficient central heating opportunities Heterogeneity of residences and businesses (cultural diversity) People meet people not cars

City Rehabilitation and Clustered Development Integrated living, working and recreational spaces (close proximity of shops, residences, services …) Affordable housing (smaller; town-homes) Use alternative energy sources (e.g. solar). Provisions for pedestrian and bicycle traffic. Self-sufficiency in provision of food Protection of sensitive habitats Stable population