Phase Five IP

Billie Berry
CTU Online
August 7, 2006
Phase 5 Individual Project
SCI205-0603A-03
Instructor Sopka

Urban Sprawl and its
Environmental Impacts

Sprawl can be described as an increase of use in urbanized land by fewer people

(CWAC). These fast growing expansions of cities has been commonly referred to as

“urban sprawl” (Frumkin). This term refers to the complex patterns of land use, social

and economic development, and transportation (Frumkin).

Expansion of cities into rural areas began to grow at an accelerated rate during the latter

part of the twentieth century. As the twenty-first century began, we saw that half of

Americans live in the suburbs (Frumkin).

The suburbs are large tracts of land being developed in low-density patterns. These

patterns can have a devastating affect on the environment in these areas. There are many

features of low-density land use, among them are: heavy reliance on vehicles, segregation

of land uses, and an opportunity for loss with most groups, this especially true for those

living in inner cities. As these practices become widespread and familiar, we force our

natural habitats into extinction (Frumkin).

A developed acreage for an individual has almost doubled in the past twenty years.

Since 1994 housing lots that are more than ten acres have accounted for 55% of land

development (CWAC).

With housing, retail stores, offices and recreational facilities constructed separately

from each other, most trips for these suburban dwellers requires that they drive to retrieve

even the basics such as milk (Frumkin).

The impact that sprawling continues to bestow upon us can be seen on our lands and in

our air that then affects our health (CWAC).

Impact described as follows:

The U.S. consumes farmland at an unsafe rate to build new highways, industrial parks

and housing communities. The loss will greatly reduce our ability to grow food, fiber and

timber. A prime example: Wisconsin’s farmland has dropped 32.6% from 23.6 million

acres to 15.9 million between 1950 and 2002 (CWAC).

Meadows, wild forests, and wetlands are being replaced with buildings, pavement and

urban landscapes. Our natural habitats grow smaller, lands are becoming degraded and

fragmented. This makes survival for species in those environments difficult as they try to

reach breeding ponds, locations for hibernation, as well as feeding and nesting grounds

(CWAC).

Sprawl is also currently being studied for its part in air pollution. Our population is

limited in our want for any type of exercise thus giving separated land use more need for

vehicles. This is the leading source of air pollution and although much has been done

over the last decade to produce a cleaner engine, there are vast quantities of vehicles

being driven within limited miles. This releases carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide,

nitrogen oxides, particle matter, and hydrocarbons due to sunlite and ozone. In these

areas the proportion may be substantially higher (Frumkin).

The health risks associated with air pollution are well known. The high ozone levels

have been associated with higher severity in respiratory systems, worsen lung functions,

emergency room visits and medication use. People with as asthma, seniors, small

children and those with cardiopulmonary disease are more at risk (Frumkin).

With development like this, taking so much from the environment, there can be no

question in how many problems this can cause. We must address this issue and focus on

a workable program to combat the problem. Not only should we worry about air pollution

and environmental destruction; we should also worry about the time, exercise, and

community that we lose. End the end, all of these factors will be the biggest loss we

could currently experience or give to future generations.

References:

Frumkin, Howard, MD., DrPH. (May-June 2002). Urban Sprawl and Public Health. Retrieved August 6, 2006 from http://

CWAC. (unknown date). Land Use and Urban Sprawl. Retrieved August 6, 2006 from http://