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Urban Sprawl (i) Explain the term urban sprawl - Leaving Cert Geography - Question C - 2009
Question C
Urban Sprawl (i) Explain the term urban sprawl. (ii) Explain two causes, and one problem, resulting from urban sprawl in any city studied by you.
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Urban Sprawl (i) Explain the term urban sprawl - Leaving Cert Geography - Question C - 2009
Step 1
Explain the term urban sprawl.
Answer
Urban sprawl refers to the uncontrolled and unplanned expansion of urban areas into surrounding rural land. This phenomenon is characterized by low-density residential developments, increased dependency on automobile transportation, and the spreading out of infrastructures such as roads and utilities. Urban sprawl often results in the transformation of farmland and natural habitats into suburban residential districts, leading to environmental degradation and a decline in agricultural space.
Step 2
Explain two causes, and one problem, resulting from urban sprawl in any city studied by you.
Answer
Naming the city
New York City
Cause 1
Explaining the cause
One primary cause of urban sprawl in New York City is the demand for housing. As the population of New York continues to grow, the pressure on housing supply increases, prompting developers to expand further into suburban areas, creating sprawling neighborhoods.
Cause 2
Explaining the cause
Another cause is the increased reliance on automobiles. The lack of efficient public transportation in the expanding suburbs leads residents to depend more on cars, enabling them to live further from their workplaces, thus promoting sprawl.
Problem
Explaining the problem
A significant problem resulting from urban sprawl in New York City is environmental degradation. As urban areas expand, they encroach on natural lands, leading to loss of biodiversity, increased pollution, and the disruption of ecosystems. This issue poses long-term challenges for sustainability in and around the urban centers.