Reasons for Suburban or Urban Sprawl

Guest Blog Post by:
Ashton Bowman
Civil and Environmental Engineering Student
University of North Carolina Charlotte
Land Development I – Homework #1

The desire for a higher quality of life is one main causes of suburban sprawl.

Families often prefer a suburban or rural home to urban housing for many reasons including better air quality, lower crime rates, better schools, and more attractive surroundings. Emissions from vehicles, industrial plants, etc. are much lower in the suburbs than in the city. Suburban living provides privacy, room for storage, a big yard.

Also, most families prefer the view from a suburban home (woods, water, and other homes) to the view provided by urban housing (commercial buildings, industrial plants, streets). Additionally, private automobiles are the cultural norm in America, so living in center-city to utilize public transportation is not a priority for many people. Private vehicles allow independence and personal expression (how nice your car is says something about you and your socioeconomic status, etc.).

Economics is another main cause of suburban sprawl, from the perspective of both the home-owner and the developer. The cost of living in the suburbs is less expensive than in the city. Additionally, it is cheaper and easier for developers to develop untouched, rural land than center-city property.

Zoning restrictions and existing infrastructure in the city make it more difficult for developers. And rural/suburban land is readily available, cheap, and allows for more flexibility and a faster process.

Overall, economics and the demand for a higher quality of life are the main contributors to suburban sprawl. As long as the market is in favor of low-density suburban housing and land is cheap and available, suburban sprawl will continue.