Urban Sprawl in the American West: A History and Analysis of Socioeconomic and Environmental Impacts

The term “urban sprawl” is used to describe the spread of urban development and growth on land on the outskirts of cities. Urban sprawl is typically defined by its low-density, single-use zoning. While it is a common tactic to accommodate rising population growth and housing needs, it has been criticized for its negative long-term effects on natural habitats as well as human communities and cities. In terms of social problems, sprawl decreases opportunities for members of a community to interact, leading to feelings of isolation and decreased civic engagement. As for environmental problems, sprawl causes habitat fragmentation and air and water pollution. There are also economic consequences, as sprawl forces everything to be further spread out, leading to higher transportation costs on an individual level. This project aims to examine cities in the American West and how they are impacted by urban sprawl on a social, environmental, and economic level, as well as provide alternatives in order to create healthier cities.