Question

Directions: The suggested time for answering this question is about 22 minutes. Where calculations are required, clearly show how you arrived at your answer. Where explanation or discussion is required, support your answers with relevant information and/or specific examples.

The term “urban sprawl” describes the expansion of cities into rural areas. This phenomenon has occurred around the world and has had economic, health, and environmental consequences.

Describe TWO causes of urban sprawl.

Discuss TWO human health effects associated with urban sprawl.

The graph below shows the relationship between population density and petroleum use in selected cities.

Describe the relationship between population density and petroleum use shown in the graph.


A graph is shown of petroleum use. The y-axis is relative annual per capita petroleum use with no numbers on the axis. The x-axis is density in persons per hectare, which goes from 0 to 300 in increments of 50. A curve is drawn starting at the top of the y-axis and is decreasing and concave up with increasing density. The curve appears to asymptote along the x-axis and is relatively flat by about 200 persons per hectare. There are points that lie close to the curve indicating where particular cities fall. The first four cities at the top of the curve, which are both below 50 persons per hectare, are Houston, Los Angeles, Washington, and New York. Below New York a horizontal line is drawn indicating that the cities about this line are in the United States. Below this line but above the next horizontal line are Melbourne, Sydney, and Toronto, all around 50 persons per hectare. The cities between these horizontal lines are indicated to be in Australia and Canada. Below the second line but above the third line are Paris, London, and Vienna, from about 75 to 150 persons per hectare. The cities between these lines are indicated to be in Europe. Below the third horizontal line but above the x-axis are Tokyo, Moscow, and Hong Kong from about 150 to 275 persons per hectare, and the cities in this area are from East Asia and Russia.


Smart growth focuses on ways to encourage sustainable urban development. Describe TWO steps a municipality could take to encourage smart growth in order to limit urban sprawl.

Highway systems and urban sprawl often threaten wildlife populations. Describe TWO methods to reduce harmful effects on wildlife populations from highways and urban sprawl.

Urban sprawl often results in the loss of productive agricultural land near cities. Describe one practical way to increase food production within urban areas.

Answer 1

Causes of Urban Sprawl:

Population Growth: Rapid population growth is a significant cause of urban sprawl. As cities experience an increase in population, there is a greater demand for housing and infrastructure, leading to the expansion of urban areas into previously rural or undeveloped lands.

Transportation Infrastructure: The development of transportation infrastructure, such as highways and roads, can contribute to urban sprawl. Improved accessibility and connectivity provided by these infrastructures often lead to the outward expansion of cities as people choose to live farther away from city centers.

Human Health Effects Associated with Urban Sprawl:

Sedentary Lifestyle and Obesity: Urban sprawl often leads to increased reliance on private vehicles and longer commuting distances. This sedentary lifestyle, coupled with the lack of pedestrian-friendly infrastructure, can contribute to a decrease in physical activity and an increased risk of obesity among residents.

Air Pollution and Respiratory Issues: Urban sprawl is associated with increased vehicular emissions, leading to poor air quality. Exposure to high levels of air pollution can cause respiratory problems, such as asthma and other respiratory diseases, impacting the health of individuals residing in these areas.

Relationship between Population Density and Petroleum Use:

The graph illustrates that there is an inverse relationship between population density and petroleum use. As population density increases, per capita petroleum use tends to decrease. This relationship suggests that higher population density is associated with more efficient use of petroleum resources, potentially due to factors such as improved public transportation systems, shorter commuting distances, and increased availability of alternative modes of transportation. The graph indicates that cities with higher population density tend to have lower per capita petroleum use, while cities with lower population density exhibit higher per capita petroleum use.

Steps to Encourage Smart Growth and Limit Urban Sprawl:

Mixed-Use Development: Municipalities can encourage mixed-use development, which involves integrating residential, commercial, and recreational spaces within the same area. This approach reduces the need for long commutes and promotes walkability, thereby limiting urban sprawl.

Transit-Oriented Development: Promoting transit-oriented development focuses on creating compact, vibrant communities around public transportation hubs. By providing easy access to public transit options, municipalities can encourage residents to rely less on private vehicles, reducing congestion and the need for expansive road networks.

Methods to Reduce Harmful Effects on Wildlife Populations:

Wildlife Corridors: Establishing wildlife corridors or green belts can mitigate the negative impacts of highways and urban sprawl on wildlife populations. These corridors provide protected pathways for wildlife to move between fragmented habitats, reducing habitat fragmentation and enhancing biodiversity conservation.

Eco-Friendly Infrastructure Design: Implementing wildlife-friendly infrastructure design features such as wildlife crossings, underpasses, and fencing can help prevent wildlife-vehicle collisions. These measures allow animals to safely traverse across highways and urban areas, minimizing the detrimental effects on wildlife populations.

Increasing Food Production within Urban Areas:

One practical way to increase food production within urban areas is through the implementation of urban agriculture initiatives. This can involve utilizing rooftops, balconies, community gardens, and vacant lots to cultivate crops, raise livestock, or engage in aquaculture. Urban agriculture not only increases local food production but also promotes food security, community engagement, and environmental sustainability by reducing the carbon footprint associated with long-distance food transportation.

By adopting smart growth strategies, addressing the impacts of urban sprawl on wildlife and implementing urban agriculture initiatives, municipalities can actively promote sustainable and resilient urban development.