Urban Sprawl is a problem that can have severe consequences for all life if the continuing expansion of developed landscape is left unrestricted. The unrestricted development of the United States and the world is rapidly contributing to the degradation of our ecosystem. Moreover, if over development continues there will be massive human suffering. Air and water quality are in jeopardy and topsoil is being lost at an alarming rate. If something isn't done soon to curtail rampant development there may be no way to prevent its destructive consequences. In order to understand Urban Sprawl it is imperative to understand the history and origin of cities.
As the nation shifted from agricultural society to a manufacturing, and then a technology driven social culture, workers incresingly left the rural life and homestead to find work and social support in the manufacturing centers. This development was based on the marketplace and was designed to maximize company profits rather than maximize the health and welfare of its inhabitants. The capitalist city had lower regard for ecological issues than for building a business structure which supported those who were dependant on the business. AS the manufacturing power grew, so did the factories to provide the goods, and the housing to support the workers. The result is a sprawling city that overflows its boundaries like a bottle of coke which is poured too quickly into a cold glass. The result is declining social and ecological conditions which contribute to the detriment of human and ecological health.
At no time was this more evident than The Industrial Revolution. Europeans and then Americans found it profitable to harness rivers for power. They built gristmills first, and then saw mills, then textile mills. Eventually, entrepreneurs would produce anything that they could create a market for. Along the way they exploited what ever was available. Men, women children and immigrants competed for the lowest wages. Rivers were harnessed for their ability to turn the wheels. They were also utilized as a means to carry away industrial...
Urban sprawl is not something that too many people really seem to spend that much time thinking about. Despite this, however, many people do have to deal with it. Those that are faced with the problem are often unsure about what they should be doing about it, and those that work in the field of trying to control it often struggle between making sure that there are enough places for
Sprawl locations are often unsightly and starkly modern in a manner that offends some Europeans: "Traditional cities, like many small and mid-sized cities in modern-day Europe, were typically oriented in a compact and efficient way. Preferences of many people, especially in the United States, have led suburban development…in an outward instead of upward manner…Subdivisions are often cited as primary examples of a less efficient use of space that characterizes
Paying landowner easements to restrict development on their property is another way to protect habitats (Terris). However, it is still feared that these measures may be inadequate. The most popular solution appears to be controlling growth development to lessen the impact of future urbanization. This means making better use of already developed areas, and providing mixed land uses (Terris). Environmentalists agree that strategic planning is the best solution to
Land Use Planning Policies and Urban Sprawl IMPORTANCE Land planning for distribution has progressed manifolds in the past century. Increase in the number of communities in the country raises the demand for urban development. Developments are often referred as revolutionary plans meant for better living. However, by the end of the 20th century perception of better living means away from the mainstream urbanism. Communities shifted to new areas with open space, tranquility
Environmental Science Suburban Sprawl: Problems and Solutions The objective of this work is to discuss the cost and benefits of low density suburban development and to who it is that gains and loses. Low density urban sprawl was seen as the answer to housing the growth urban population in both Australia and USA cities. However, this has proven to be untrue and the facts speak quite differently. Health problems are many in these
Just sitting there, stop-and-go, slow-and-go, wasted two full weeks of work time per year; and the "excess fuel consumption due to congestion" added up to $1,055 for each resident of the Washington, D.C. area a year. But wait - is the money spent on wasted fuel all the harm that is done? No, in fact, "vehicle exhaust remains a serious problem" in the D.C. area. Vehicles are the "main source
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