Urban Sprawl [Date]

Today I will:- Know the causes, problems and solutions to Urban Sprawl.- Be able to comment on the effectiveness of the solutions

This topic comes up frequently2013, 2012, 2010, 2007 etc..

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Urban SprawlThe spreading of

urban development into areas adjoining

the edge of a city

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Reasons for Urban Sprawl in Glasgow

- Growth of:- Suburban housing both high quality private (Newton Mearns) and low cost, council estates.- Shopping malls (Braehead) .- Industrial estates (Hillington) and retail parks.- Leisure facilities e.g. golf courses at Waterfoot.- Waste disposal such as sewage works and landfill sites (Shieldhall).

- Cheaper land prices on outskirts.- Need for motorway and by-pass developments (M74).- Increased level of commuting to suburban areas and villages with more attractive environments.- Negative aspects of the city e.g. pollution and congestion deter some people from living there.- Increased number of single person households.

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Problems caused by Urban Sprawl

- [A] Recreational and farmland used up by urban sprawl. [B] Sprawl threatens biodiversity and wildlife habitats and removes open land. Villages are lost as they become part of the city.

- [A] Increased commuting leading to traffic congestion. [B] Longer travelling times from suburbs to CBD. More road building (M74) leads to conflict due to light and noise pollution.

- [A] Braehead centre conflicts with other shopping areas. [B] Paisley’s shops cannot compete. Closures have led to a much emptier, run down high street. Social problems.

- [A] Sewage works and landfill sites conflict with local people [B] due to the smell and visual pollution.

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Solutions to Urban Sprawl and their Effectiveness

- [A] A Green belt has been put in place around Glasgow. [B] This land is protected through legislation and planning controls. Urban development in Green belt areas is not allowed. It allows people to enjoy the countryside. HOWEVER they have prevented much development (job opportunities and prevented people moving to the countryside). Some developments still take place e.g. the M77.

- [A] Redevelop inner urban areas with modern affordable housing, high quality shopping areas and create hubs for entertainment (Science Centre). Good as many people and business have been attracted back.

- [A] Improve public transport systems [B] reducing need for additional motorways and related infrastructure e.g. park and ride systems. Worked to an extent but there are still major traffic problems (M8).

- [A] Build new towns such as East Kilbride [B] as development takes place elsewhere.

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