Final answer:
The term for the physical expansion of urban areas due to new outlying developments is known as suburban sprawl or urban sprawl. It is characterized by the consumption of rural land for new housing and communities, leading to changes in socioeconomics and the environment. Gentrification and political factors also influence these expanding urban landscapes.
Step-by-step explanation:
The physical expansion of a town, city, or metropolitan area due to the continual addition of new developments at outlying areas is known as suburban sprawl or urban sprawl. This occurs as cities become overcrowded and people move to areas where they can enjoy more space while maintaining access to their urban workplaces. Suburbs originally provided a balance between the rural and urban lifestyle, but as suburban sprawl continues, it extends to exurbs, communities even farther out than suburbs, often populated by residents with a high socioeconomic status. This contributes to traffic congestion, extended commuting times, an increase in natural resource use like petroleum, and subsequently, heightened pollution levels.
As the suburban sprawl progresses, political pressures and the interests of large land development companies often push for growth policies that favor expansion, leading to the purchase of agricultural or rural lands for development into new suburban communities. Simultaneously, gentrification can also play a role in the changing landscapes of cities, as the process of redevelopment in inner-city neighbourhoods attracts residents of higher social status. Overall, the dynamics of urbanization, sprawl, and policies affecting land development significantly shape the physical and social environments of metropolitan areas.
The Question is incomplete. The complete question is
The physical expansion of a town, city, or metropolitan area as a result of continually increasing number of new developments at the outlying areas is known as