Comparing Different Approaches to the Problems of Sprawl and Urban Development

WEEK 8 URBANISM FINAL
Name:
Institutional Affiliation:
Professor:
Course
Date
Week 8 Urbanism Final
Introduction
The element of sprawl and urban development are tentatively increasing in the building of environments in America as well as other industrialized states. In as much as there is a considerable amount of proof that the element of urban sprawl results in undesirable effects on the environment and the health of the public, it is essential to establish that there are policies that have been developed with the aim of combating these effects such as the inclusion of Smart Growth approach. This approach has accrued several controversies, thus making the implementation of these projects difficult. The element of Smart Growth has resulted into contentious views since several stakeholders affected by the process of urbanization have shown their conflicting views tied that are politically and morally inclinated. This paper seeks to establish problems of sprawl and urban development among past and emerging urbanisms and the manner in which these approaches relate to sustainability.
Approaches to the Problems of Sprawl and Urban Development
Urban sprawl is one of the dominant patters of development that plays a significant role in the United States of America. As suburbs start developing, different cities continue to expand in size that in population, an aspect that has resulted in the development of a large metropolitan area with a lower population density. In this case, it is essential to establish that the sprawling of urban cities has some negative implications on the health of human beings and the environment. An urban development plan that incorporates the use of automobiles has the capacity to pollute the air through the production of airborne and ozone particles that affect the environment. As a result of pollution, several people are bound to suffer from respiratory problems such as lung cancer and asthma.[. Feng, Li, and Hui Li. 2012. "Spatial Pattern Analysis of Urban Sprawl: Case Study of Jiangning, Nanjing, China." Journal Of Urban Planning & Development 138, no. 3: 263-269. Academic Search Premier, EBSCOhost]
On the other hand, the concept of urban sprawl has made it socioeconomically challenging for people to engage in exercise activities and obtaining healthy foods as compared to the wealthy populations. Urban sprawl is also likely to reduce the quality and quantity of water since the process increases the amount of surface runoff, an aspect that channels other pollutants and oil impediments into rivers and streams. The poor quality of water is likely to result in negative health outcomes, an aspect that would result in the contraction of cancer, the gastrointestinal tract disorder, and kidney disease.[. Hortas-Rico, Miriam. 2015. "Sprawl, Blight, And The Role Of Urban Containment Policies: Evidence From U.S. Cities." Journal of Regional Science 55, no. 2: 298-323. Business Source Complete, EBSCOhost] [. Lambert, T. E., Catchen, J., & Vogelgesang, V. (2015). The Impact of Urban Sprawl on Disaster Relief Spending: An Exploratory Study. Journal Of Economic Issues (M.E. Sharpe Inc.), 835-864.]
As a result of this, many urban developers and health practitioners have resorted to this concept as one of the solutions to some of the issues and challenges that are faced in urban sprawl. The concept of Smart Growth depicts a policy framework that incorporates approaches aimed at promoting the patterns of urban development in areas that are characterized by higher growing populations. The process aims at developing urban areas that allow the use of bikes and walk ways through the mixed use development process that also preserves green spaces.[. Lityński, Piotr. 2015. "Degree and Features Of Urban Sprawl In Selected Largest Polish Cities." Research Papers Of The Wroclaw University Of Economics / Prace Naukowe Uniwersytetu Ekonomicznego We Wroclawiu no. 402: 184-193]
Generally, it is imperative to establish that the primary approach in curbing the negative effects of urban sprawl is in drawing heavily on the concept of Smart Growth that encourages a compact type of development. This approach balances the process of urban development by ensuring that the negative impacts of sprawl are addressed. An example of this can be depicted in Wang, Kyungsoon & Dan Immergluck (2015) who advocates for the development of growth management policies that are driven to increasing the density of sprawls, encouraging the process of land use mixing, and reducing the dependency of automotive machines along the development projects that are conducted in Beijing.[. Wang, Kyungsoon & Dan Immergluck. "Targeted Smart Growth Planning Initiatives In The Suburbs: Effects On Home Values." Journal Of Urban Affairs 37, no. 2 (May 2015): 166-191. Academic Search Premier, EBSCOhost]
However, Arku Godwin (2013) suggests that rather than initiating tighter growth controls, there is a need to include maps and inventories on the productivity of land that can be used in strategically channeling an outward expansion of cities that are erected in less fertile parcels. This similarity is consequently directed to providing responses to sprawls that are initiated in faster growing economies, evidence that shows the convergent efforts across different geographical contexts.[. Arku, Godwin. 2013. "Rapidly Growing African Cities Need to Adopt Smart Growth Policies to Solve Urban Development Concerns." Urban Forum 20, no. 3: 253-270.]
Smart Growth is viewed in the process of incorporating aesthetical alternatives to the process of urban sprawl since it offers inhabitants and the environment a high quality of life, an aspect that has resulted in several health benefits that has resulted in the diminishing of air pollution, increased physical activities, low pedestrian mortality, and fewer automobile accidents. In this case, it is significant to note that the concept of Smart Growth varies from the garden suburbs since it is developed to address the issues of transportation and population density.[. Ibid. 1]
How these Approaches Relate to Sustainability
The element of sustainable development relates to the concept of Smart Growth since it incorporates approaches and strategies that enable communities to balance between its economic developmen...