Final answer:
Urban sprawl is the process of development spreading faster than population growth, leading to the inefficient use of land and infrastructure. 'Slow growth' coalitions advocate for smarter development to prevent the external costs associated with sprawl.
Step-by-step explanation:
The process in which the spread of development across a landscape outpaces population growth is often referred to as urban sprawl or suburban sprawl. This phenomenon is characterized by the expansion of urban areas into the rural countryside, leading to a pattern of development that consumes more land than what the growth of the population alone would necessitate. Land developers, motivated by potential profits, purchase large expanses of rural or agricultural land surrounding cities to create new suburban communities. The poorly planned and uncoordinated development stretches the available infrastructure, such as roads, utility lines, and public safety services, over greater distances, often resulting in considerable external costs. These costs are typically passed on to the taxpayers, including those who reside in inner cities, thus exacerbating disparities in urban planning and fostering continued suburban expansion.
One approach to combat the challenges posed by urban sprawl is through the advocacy of "slow growth" coalitions. These groups promote smarter development policies, such as in-filling laws, which direct development towards land adjacent to existing neighborhoods. The aim is to prevent disjointed and expensive checkerboard development patterns, which strain public resources. This pattern contrasts with the demographic transition seen in countries as they develop from high birth and death rates to stabilization at lower rates, effectively reducing urban sprawl in favor of denser, more planned urban environments.