5.16 Urban Planning

Urban Sprawl and Its Impacts

Urban sprawl is the uncontrolled spread of low-density development outward from cities. It fragments habitats, increases dependence on cars, raises pollution, and consumes farmland and natural areas. Sprawl often results from population growth, cheap land, and highway expansion, leading to longer commutes and greater resource/energy consumption per person.

Smart Growth & Sustainable Design

Smart growth is a planning approach that concentrates development, mixes land uses, and promotes walkability and public transit to reduce sprawl's impacts. Strategies include compact/cluster development, preserving open space, mixed-use zoning, and building near transit lines. This reduces habitat destruction, air pollution, and infrastructure costs while improving quality of life.

Planned Communities & Ecological Design

Planned communities (e.g., New Urbanism) are intentionally designed with walkability, green space, and mixed housing/commercial areas to minimize environmental footprint. Ecological/green design incorporates renewable energy, permeable surfaces, and green roofs. These approaches aim to balance human needs with reduced runoff, energy use, and habitat disruption compared to conventional sprawl.

Key terms

Urban sprawl

Uncontrolled, low-density spread of development outward from cities, increasing car dependence and habitat loss.

Smart growth

Planning approach that promotes compact, mixed-use development near transit to reduce sprawl's impacts.

New Urbanism

A planning movement designing walkable communities with mixed housing and commercial space to reduce environmental footprint.

Cluster development

Concentrating buildings on part of a site to preserve open space and reduce infrastructure impact.

Ecological/green design

Building approach using renewable energy, green roofs, and permeable surfaces to lessen environmental impact of urban development.

Try an AP-style question

Which is a principle of smart growth?

1. Mixed-use, walkable neighborhoods
2. Separating all land uses
3. Spreading homes far from jobs
4. Building more highways only