Urban SprawlUrban SprawlGrade 12 Global GeographyGrade 12 Global Geography

What is Urban SprawlWhat is Urban Sprawl

►Urban SprawlUrban Sprawl is a is a pattern of land use pattern of land use that is that is characterized by characterized by spread out spread out automobile automobile dependant dependant development development outside of more outside of more compact city compact city centers.centers.

CharacteristicsCharacteristics

► Excessive land consumption Excessive land consumption ► Low population densities Low population densities ► Lack of transportation options Lack of transportation options ►Wide gaps between development and a Wide gaps between development and a

scattered appearance scattered appearance ► Lack of choice in housing types and prices Lack of choice in housing types and prices ► Separation of uses into distinct areas (not Separation of uses into distinct areas (not

mixed)mixed)► Repetitive single family home development Repetitive single family home development ► Commercial buildings surrounded by Commercial buildings surrounded by

expansive parking expansive parking

Road PatternsRoad Patterns

►Older UrbanOlder Urban

Road PatternsRoad Patterns

►New Suburban (Urban Sprawl)New Suburban (Urban Sprawl)

The ProcessThe Process

►Land prices decrease as you move away Land prices decrease as you move away from the city centerfrom the city center

►Middle class people opt for cheaper Middle class people opt for cheaper homes and a perceived higher standard homes and a perceived higher standard of living outside of the cityof living outside of the city

►Development jumps the borders of the Development jumps the borders of the citycity

►Growth proceeds sporadically and rapidly Growth proceeds sporadically and rapidly until city planners catch up.until city planners catch up.

►The car makes it all possibleThe car makes it all possible

Problems with Urban SprawlProblems with Urban Sprawl

►Land use conflictsLand use conflicts► Inefficient land useInefficient land use► Increased energy Increased energy ►consumption and consumption and ►air pollutionair pollution► Increase in tax burdenIncrease in tax burden►Social impactsSocial impacts

Problems with Urban SprawlProblems with Urban Sprawl

Some SolutionsSome Solutions

►Tax IncentivesTax Incentives► Increased developer fees reflecting the Increased developer fees reflecting the

true cost of urban sprawltrue cost of urban sprawl►Revitalise existing urban spacesRevitalise existing urban spaces►GreenbeltsGreenbelts

OttawaOttawa

TorontoToronto