Human geographyLesson 3 of 4 in the course Urbanisation

Urban Sprawl: Patterns, Impacts, Debates, and Planning Responses

5 flashcards · 5 quiz questions · 5 match pairs · 5 fill-in sentences · English

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Summary

Urban sprawl describes a pattern of urban expansion, but experts do not agree on one exact definition. This lesson introduces the concept, its history, and the different ways researchers identify it.

Urban sprawl is the outward expansion of towns and cities, often associated with low-density housing, separated land uses, and reliance on private cars. Development may spread over large areas with little coordination or regard for the consequences of growth.

All flashcards

What is urban sprawl?
It is outward urban expansion, commonly associated with dispersed or low-density development, separated land uses, and dependence on private cars.
How does sprawl relate to urbanization?
Urbanization is the broader process of urban growth. Sprawl is one possible pattern or form that this growth can take.
Why is the definition of sprawl disputed?
Researchers emphasize different features, such as density, scattered development, land-use separation, accessibility, or resource efficiency. Different measures can therefore lead to different conclusions.
What is leapfrog development?
It is development that appears in separated patches, with vacant or undeveloped land between new construction and existing built-up areas.
What indicators did Reid Ewing propose?
He proposed indicators including accessibility and a lack of functional open space, as a flexible alternative to relying only on a fixed set of characteristics.

Quiz questions

  1. How can single-use development increase car dependence?Answer: It separates homes and activities, making many destinations harder to reach without driving.
  2. What does spatial mismatch describe in the context of job sprawl?Answer: A difficulty reaching available jobs when workers and employment are separated and transit is limited.
  3. What can increased impervious surface area do to rainfall?Answer: It can increase runoff and reduce the amount of water that recharges groundwater.
  4. What trade-off is captured by the paradox of intensification?Answer: Higher density may reduce car use per person while concentrating traffic locally.
  5. What is the main purpose of an urban growth boundary?Answer: To define an area within which urban development is intended to occur.

Based on the Wikipedia article Urban sprawl, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Adapted into a summary, flashcards and quizzes.

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