Urban Sprawl: Definitions and Impacts

Study Notes

Gentrification: Older neighborhoods are replaced with newer construction, like shops and businesses on the ground floor and housing on the upper levels.
Infill: Filling in empty or rundown parts of a city with new development.
Metropolitan Area: A large population center, including a large city and smaller surrounding towns and suburbs.
Rural Fringe: Small towns, farms, and open spaces just beyond a city's suburbs.
Suburbs: Developed areas at the edge of a city with mainly homes, but also stores and businesses.
Urban Core: The older part of a large city, serving as the downtown or central business district.
Urban Fringe: The ring of small towns and suburbs surrounding a large city.
Urban Sprawl: The rapid and often poorly planned spread of development from an urban area into rural areas.

Pros*
Lower Building Costs: Costs are typically lower in rural areas.
Better Family Environment: Homes outside the city are often viewed as better places to raise a family.
Increased Business and Jobs: New housing construction often leads to jobs in construction and related industries.
Cons*
Increased Traffic and Pollution: Reliance on cars often leads to traffic jams and air pollution.
Habitat Loss: Developing land often means loss of habitats and wildlife.
Higher Taxes: Construction companies in the area may increase tax rates.