Urban Sprawl

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What is urban sprawl?

Urban sprawl refers to the uncontrolled expansion of urban areas into surrounding rural land.

What are the common causes of urban sprawl?

Causes include population growth, desire for more space, car dependency, and infrastructure development.

How does urban sprawl affect the environment?

It can lead to habitat destruction, increased air and water pollution, and loss of green space.

What is one economic impact of urban sprawl?

It often increases infrastructure costs due to the need to extend services further into rural areas.

How can urban sprawl contribute to social issues?

It can lead to social segregation, with wealthier people moving to suburbs and leaving poorer communities behind in cities.

What role do cars play in urban sprawl?

Cars make it easier to live further away from city centers, encouraging development in outlying areas.

What is a 'bedroom community'?

A residential suburb where people primarily commute to jobs in the city.

How does urban sprawl affect public transportation?

It makes efficient public transit challenging, as spread-out populations are harder to serve effectively.

What is the relationship between urban sprawl and land use?

Urban sprawl often results in inefficient land use, with more land consumed per person compared to denser urban areas.

How can urban sprawl lead to increased traffic congestion?

Longer commutes and car dependency can result in more vehicles on the road, causing congestion.

What is smart growth?

Smart growth is an urban planning strategy that focuses on sustainable, efficient, and compact development.

What are greenbelts, and how do they relate to urban sprawl?

Greenbelts are protected areas of open space around a city, aimed at preventing urban sprawl.

Can urban sprawl impact local wildlife?

Yes, it can destroy or fragment habitats, threatening local wildlife populations.

What is mixed-use development?

A development that combines residential, commercial, cultural, and industrial uses, aiming to reduce sprawl.

How does zoning affect urban sprawl?

Zoning laws can encourage sprawl by promoting separation of land uses, which increases travel distances.