Definition Urban Sprawl

Urban sprawl is the uncontrolled expansion of cities and their suburbs to rural areas. It is an occurrence that has several drastic consequences.

Decreased Farmland

• More farmlands have to yield to more roads and houses to accommodate a growing population. Thus this reduces the ability to grow food.

Decreased Wildlife

• Forests have to yield to housing development and highways. This poses a grave danger to wildlife species, especially to those already endangered.

Increased Pollution

• The higher the level of car and truck traffic, the higher the noise and air pollution. Also, land run-off of construction site erosion, fuel spills and oil leaks--some of the adverse effects of industrialization and housing developments--increase land and water pollution.

Increased Energy Consumption

• Urban sprawl increases energy consumption. This includes gasoline for vehicles, home heating and electricity use.

Increased Cost of Living

• Some people have trouble keeping up with increasing property taxes that rise to cover service costs, as well as paying for rising fuel costs for travel and heating large buildings.