Urban Sprawl and the Environment

Paper Summary:

This paper examines the phenomenon of urban sprawl, how it depletes the environment, and how, over a 20-year period, the areas encompassing more than 100 cities in America have fallen victim to a lack of organization in urban development. It shows how it compounds the issues currently plaguing the environment and other aspects of life and how it decreases the quality of life for various people, from the people who have health problems to those who don't have a driver's license.

From the Paper:

"The wetlands have been increasingly threatened by urban sprawl. Each year, more than 100,000 acres of this valuable resource are destroyed, due to such projects as new highways and housing subdivisions [Sierra 3]. For example, over the last 200 years, 2/3 of the wetlands encompassing the Great Lakes have been destroyed [Great Lakes]. Another major point of concern is the Chesapeake Bay, considered to be the East Coast's chief estuary. Annually, more than 150 square miles of land in the surrounding areas are developed [Bay]. As a result of the depletion of swampland, water quality, ecosystems, and even public safety have been compromised."

More papers on Urban Sprawl and the Environment:

• Research Paper # 40801 : "Transportation and the Environment"
• Term Paper # 108141 : "Population Growth and the Environment"
• Analytical Essay # 120543 : "Cities and the Environment"

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