Urban Sprawl

Urban sprawl
Urban sprawl, a special development pattern originated in the USA, is the irreversible trend of social development, expanding the city far from the city center to suburban even to the rural area. Ecological issues arise in the process of urban expansion. Many areas are plunged to the loss of farmland and greenery, pollution and climate change. Meanwhile, urban sprawl contributes to the social problems, such as traffic jam, social fragmentation and the loss of public space. Governments and business groups hold the view that the development of technology can truckle the social and ecological issue, while some other scientists disagree. This essay will explain how urban sprawl brings about social and ecological problems. The author argues that technology cannot tackle the environmental degradation, social inequality and public health problems.

Concerns have been aroused that the economic profit is highlighted in urban development, so climate change, social inequality and public health problems arise without enough attention. Above all, urban sprawl affects environment mainly by increasing energy use. Martin (2007 p.69) points out that sprawled cities requires long trip and more transportation, bring high energy consumption. Low et al. (2000) and Pinderhughes (2004) (cited in Gonzalez 2005, p.344) assert that the increasing energy use is the major cause for the phenomenal growth of greenhouse gas emission. In order to get to various destinations in sprawled cities, people use frequent transportation. Because of the heightened demand of energy in transportation, carbon dioxide emission level is beyond the tolerance of the planet. Therefore, the environment issue attributes to serious problems. Besides, urban sprawl also contributes to social inequality. Martin (2007 p.68) recognizes that American government forbid poor people buying car and the driving technique keeps the disabled away from the driver license. Owning a car especially of prestigious...