Urban sprawl
Definition
Urban sprawl refers to the uncontrolled expansion of cities into surrounding rural areas. It often leads to low-density development with increased infrastructure demands and environmental impacts.
Analogy
Imagine urban sprawl as a spilled liquid spreading across a tablecloth. As it spreads further away from the initial spill, it covers more surface area and becomes harder to clean up. Similarly, urban sprawl consumes more land and resources as cities expand outward.
Related terms
Land Use Planning: The process of regulating the use of land in order to achieve sustainable development and avoid issues like urban sprawl.
Infrastructure: The basic physical structures and facilities needed for the functioning of a society, such as roads, buildings, and utilities.
Suburbanization: The process of population movement from central urban areas to suburban regions surrounding cities.
"Urban sprawl" appears in:
Subjects (2)
Study guides (1)
Practice Questions (8)
- What is urban sprawl?
- What is a potential environmental problem associated with urban sprawl?
- What does urban sprawl refer to?
- What is urban sprawl?
- What are the environmental problems associated with urban sprawl?
- What is urban sprawl?
- What is urban sprawl?
- What is urban sprawl?
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