"Sprawl is defined as the process in which the
spread of development across the landscape far outpaces population growth.
The landscape sprawl creates has four dimensions:
- a population that is widely dispersed in low-density
development;
- rigidly separated homes, shops, and workplaces;
- a network of roads marked by huge blocks and poor
access;
- a lack of well-defined thriving activity centers,
such as downtown's and town centers;
- a lack of transportation choices other than personal
cars,
- and difficulty of walking as a result of housing
locations."
--Smart Growth America
"Sprawl is irresponsible, often poorly-planned
development that destroys green space, increases traffic and air pollution,
crowds schools, and drives up taxes." --The Sierra Club
"Sprawl features rapid geographic expansion of metropolitan areas
in a "leapfrog," low density pattern, segregation of distinct
land uses, heavy dependence on automobile travel with extensive road
construction, architectural and social homogeneity, shift of capital
investment and economic opportunity from the city center the the periphery,
and relatively weak regional planning."
--Rollins School of Public Heath, Emory University
"Sprawl is a regional pattern of real estate development
that is characterized by:
- Low density;
- Unlimited and non-continuous outward expansion;
- Spatial segregation of different land uses;
- Consumption of outer suburban agricultural lands
and environmentally sensitive lands;
- Travel dominance by motor vehicle;
- Lack of integrated land use planning."
--10,000 Friends of Pennsylvania
