Urban sprawl refers to the rapid outward expansion of metropolitan areas into low-density rural lands, characterized by single-use zoning, reliance on automobiles, and homogenous design. It was facilitated by the rise of automobiles and subsidized housing in the 1940s. Environmental issues caused by sprawl include increased emissions, air and water pollution, and lack of physical activity has led to health problems like obesity and diabetes. While sprawl provides benefits like affordable housing, it has negative economic, environmental and social impacts on communities.

1. Urban Sprawl HLTH 497

2. What is urban sprawl? The expansive and rapid spreading outwards of a metropolitan area (and its suburb) to outskirts and low-density rural lands. Characterized by: single-use zoning reliance on automobiles homogeneity in design low-density land use

3. History of Urban Sprawl Late 19th Century Wealthiest class in Europe had access to transportation, and built grand estates outside of the city. Development of infrastructure caused relatively wealthy people to move away from polluted city centers. City centers become increasingly populated by lower-income individuals.

4. History of Urban Sprawl 1940s: Post War Boom great economic prosperity led to development need for housing to accommodate growing populations Own-Your-Own-Home national campaigns in the USA

5. Facilitators of Urban Sprawl Automobiles Governmental single-use zoning laws Accessible mortgages Housing subsidies

6. Environmental Issues and Urban Sprawl Climate change dependancy on motor vehicles cause increase emissions Air pollution local and regional pollution causes adverse health effects respiratory disease cardiovascular disease, cancer and birth defects Water Quality increase runoff due to paved areas

7. Health Issues and Urban Sprawl Lack of Physical Activity caused by heavy dependance on automobiles low walkability of suburban communities land-use mix connectivity aesthetics less likely to walk or bike, even short distances diabetes, obesity and hypertension

8. Health Issues and Urban Sprawl Mental Health Effects at the current rate of development, the average commuter in the GTA can expect a 300% increase in delay by 2031 stress of commuting mental effects of the loss of green space

9. Break Out Discussion Groups What are the primary economic, political, environmental, and social arguments against sprawl? How about for urban sprawl? Which parts of your metropolitan area provide examples of sprawl? Why has sprawl occurred in these areas? What have been some of the impacts of sprawl in these areas? What discussions, if any, have been held among citizens or politicians concerning how the effects of sprawl can be lessened and how sprawl can be curtailed in future development? What do you think should be done about the sprawl situation in this area? Is this really a big problem, or are things okay as they stand now?

10. The Great Urban Sprawl Debate Pro-Sprawl Opening Address (5 minutes) Anti-Sprawl Opening Address (5 minutes) Pro- Sprawl Rebuttal (3 minutes) Anti-Sprawl Rebuttal (3 minutes) Final Statement from Pro-Sprawl (1 minute) Final Statement from Anti-Sprawl (1 minute)

11. The Future of Urban Sprawl? www.ted.com/talks/ellen_dunham_jones_retrofitting_suburbia.html

12. Sources and More Reading Bruegmann, Robert. 2005. Sprawl: a Compact History. Chicago, IL: The University of Chicago Press. Hornstein, Jeffrey M. 2005. A Nation of Realtors®: A Cultural History of the Twentieth-Century American Middle Class. Durham, NC: Duke University Press. www.publichealthgrandrounds.unc.edu/urban/ www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1497432/pdf/12432132.pdf www.8-80cities.org/Articles/Urban%20Sprawl-Jan-05.pdf