Environmental Urban sprawl

the urban sprawl of melbourne.

at same time, urban cores of these , other major cities in united states, western europe, , japan did not annex new territory experienced related phenomena of falling household size and, particularly in u.s., white flight , sustaining population losses. trend has slowed in recent years, more people have regained interest in urban living.

due larger area consumed sprawling suburbs compared urban neighborhoods, more farmland , wildlife habitats displaced per resident. forest cover cleared , covered impervious surfaces (concrete , asphalt) in suburbs, rainfall less absorbed groundwater aquifers. threatens both quality , quantity of water supplies. sprawl increases water pollution rain water picks gasoline, motor oil, heavy metals, , other pollutants in runoff parking lots , roads.

the chicago metro area, nicknamed chicagoland .

gordon & richardson have argued conversion of agricultural land urban use not problem due increasing efficiency of agricultural production; argue aggregate agricultural production still more sufficient meet global food needs despite expansion of urban land use.