Urban Sprawl and Development

The fringes of urban centers have been eating up neighboring rural land, causing a radical transformation in the management of a metropolitan area or a big industrialized city. Initially, it was considered a healthy sign of development. Urban sprawl, in simple terms, comprises of heavy migration of population, land use, increased transportation along with economic and social development. These sparsely populated areas have become a regular feature of city development across the globe and also a big headache in most of the cases.

The sprawling cities do offer an attractive pattern of development. For example, in America the growth of an urban sprawl was associated with the fulfilment of the 'Great American Dream' where people dreamed of living in single-family homes with all the modern facilities. All this was coupled with an easy access to the vibrant and bustling local city business districts and professional avenues. A thriving population is the biggest contributer to a country's growth. Better living conditions influenced a large part of the civic life to develop and assimilate the benefits of modern life. But there have been several grave consequences of this trend in human development, especially in current circumstances it is a severe concern for governments all over the world.

The concerns associated with a sprawling urban landscape are detailed as follows.

• Economic Problems: Modern colonies include a dense living infrastructure. Better housing, schools, hospitals, playgrounds, an improved transport and connectivity and other civic amenities have resulted in government expenditure in billions. Consequently, heavy taxes are paid by the population, which is already reeling under heavy prices.
• Environmental Issues: The dependence on automobiles for every small task has degraded the quality of the surroundings in all urban sprawls causing environmental pollution. Due to spread out societies, there is a frequent need of vehicles for commuting over large distances. Some cities around the world have seen an increase of over 10 times in the number of vehicles plying on their roads in the last 3 to 4 years. Rampant use of automobiles has resulted in severe air pollution leading to grave ailments and decreasing health standards. There is a severe strain on water resources due to wastage, lower ground water levels, leaks, soil erosion, water used for pet care and its requirement in urban activities like those on construction sites has reduced water quality and supply by drastic proportions. Noise pollution is another big nuisance in an urban sprawl. Automobiles, airplanes and noisy activities, which are a characteristic feature of an urban sprawl, give rise to grave health problems like stress, anxiety, insomnia and so on.
• Impact on Lifestyle and Society: People living in an urban locality have generic houses, busy schedules, small families and a secluded lifestyle. Therefore the social development has received a setback in most of the countries. Neighborhoods with big porches, schools, religious places and shops just a few blocks away, encouraged social interactions which led to a peaceful, happy and content society. The age old concept of a feeling of belonging or community welfare have eluded modern sprawling cities. There is less space and time for exercise and healthy living activities, leading to a faster aging and ailing population. In certain places, it has resulted in the creation of slum dwellings, rising discord between different economic classes of society and increased criminal activities. Choosing urban lifestyle against rural living, is a fading option for many people.
• Effects on Flora and Fauna: The loss of agricultural land for a rapid growth in infrastructure is the single biggest negative impact of a city expanding on the boundaries. Depletion of cultivable land has affected agricultural production. For instance, in America alone, almost 14 million acres of farmland was converted to non-farming areas between 1992 and 1997. This was a 51% increase in the rate of conversion from the previous decade, according to the United States Department of Agriculture. Similarly, forests, wetlands and wild bushes which were an integral part of a region's natural features have almost disappeared and are being replaced by buildings, industrial zones and the ever-increasing urban population. All these factors have made us susceptible to nature's fury like frequent floods and storms, global warming or a human-wildlife confrontation resulting in losses on both sides.

Despite all these concerns, people throughout the world find urban life more productive and enriching. There is still a huge scope for urban sprawl development, especially in the new cities. At this crucial stage of existence, the world must focus on planned and environment-friendly urban development. Our efforts should be directed at an organized and structured setup for our cities with no or minimum impact on the surroundings and strain on our vital resources.

Urban life is a beautiful creation of our quest for a more prosperous society but its growth should always be in harmony with our eco-system, so that we can hope for a better future.