Final answer:
Urban sprawl affects the environment and health by causing increased auto dependency, air pollution, and resource depletion. Overcrowded housing and altered habitats contribute to these challenges, highlighting the importance of sustainable urban development.
Step-by-step explanation:
Urban sprawl has significant environmental and health impacts, which are evident in areas like Phoenix, Arizona. As more land is lost to sprawl each year, we observe several detrimental effects. Urban sprawl leads to increased auto dependency, with its associated air pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and health issues such as respiratory diseases.
Changes in Arizona's land use after agricultural expansion and with Phoenix's sprawl have resulted in elevated water usage, threatening sustainable urban living due to the scarcity of renewable freshwater. Problems such as traffic congestion, racial tensions, and a widening economic gap are other negative ramifications of poorly managed urban growth.
Overcrowded housing with poor ventilation, exposure to air pollution, alteration of natural habitats impacting biodiversity, and increased demand on resources are just a few examples of the challenges faced. The environmental strain includes habitat loss, air and water pollution, as well as a high use of natural resources like petroleum, exacerbating problems like climate change. Therefore, balancing urban development with sustainability and resource access poses a major challenge.