Urban Sprawl

Paper Summary:

This paper begins by explaining the problem of urban sprawl and defines this phenomenon. It discusses the disadvantages of this occurrence and what damage it may cause, both socially and environmentally. The writer finally examines methods that could be used to reduce the phenomenon and return to more modest building methods.

From the Paper:

"The constantly exploding city is a phenomenon unique to the last century. In a strange and almost illogical fashion, Americans currently "consume land at over twice the rate of net population growth" (Rusk, 36), building new housing developments and homes on the urban fringe outside megalopolises every day while old housing facilities in the core city are increasingly left empty and abandoned. By piecemeal most of the major cities in America are becoming hollow, their residents and even businesses emptying out into the surrounding countryside. This phenomenon is known as urban sprawl, and has been the subject of much conjecture and debate within the last several decades. Urban sprawl is considered by many people as a serious environmental and social threat, and considered at least problematic by most social critics. While unlimited urban expansion has some defenders, even those supporting the right of the populace to sprawl as they please tend to recognize that something needs to be done to mitigate the associated harms. Among the best recommendations to cure the ills of sprawl are the limited use of urban growth boundaries, the elimination of pro-sprawl governmental practices such as certain zoning requirements and funding practices, and the creation of regional rather than municipal tax-bases for necessary services."

More papers on Urban Sprawl:

• Analytical Essay # 132075 : "Urban Sprawl"
• Essay # 86121 : "Urban Sprawl in the 21st Century"
• Essay # 83863 : "Urban Sprawl "
• Persuasive Essay # 135579 : "The Need to Curtail Urban Sprawl"

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