urban sprawl
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: - The uncontrolled and often poorly planned expansion of a city or urban area into surrounding rural land: This term describes the physical spread of urban development (such as housing, shopping centers, and roads) over a large area of land, typically in a low-density, car-dependent manner.
Usage
"Urban sprawl" is used as a singular noun to describe the phenomenon of expansive, decentralized urban growth. It often carries a negative connotation, implying inefficient land use, environmental impact, and social challenges. - The rapid urban sprawl has consumed much of the county's farmland. - Planners are trying to find solutions to limit further urban sprawl. - A major consequence of urban sprawl is increased traffic congestion.
Advanced Usage
- "to combat/fight urban sprawl": To take action to stop or control the spread of urban sprawl.
- The new zoning laws aim to combat urban sprawl by promoting higher-density development.
- "the effects/impact of urban sprawl": Referring to the results of this type of growth.
- The environmental impact of urban sprawl includes habitat loss and higher carbon emissions.
Variants and Related Words
- Sprawl (verb/noun): The core action or state of spreading out in an ungainly or uncontrolled way. "Urban sprawl" is a specific application of this concept.
- The city began to sprawl into the valley. (verb)
- The suburban sprawl made public transportation inefficient. (noun)
- Exurbia (noun): The prosperous residential areas beyond the suburbs, often created by urban sprawl.
- Suburbanization (noun): The process of population movement from cities to suburbs, a key driver of urban sprawl.
Synonyms
- Suburban sprawl: Often used interchangeably with "urban sprawl," emphasizing the low-density residential character.
- Metropolitan expansion: A more neutral term for the geographical growth of a city region.
- Conurbation: A large, continuous urban area formed by the merging of previously separate towns or cities, which can be a result of sprawl.
Antonyms / Contrasting Concepts
- Compact city: A city with high-density, mixed-use development and minimal sprawl.
- Smart growth: Planned urban development that aims to curb sprawl by focusing on sustainability, density, and efficient land use.
- Urban containment: Policies designed to limit a city's physical expansion.
Related Idioms and Phrases
- "Paving over paradise": A critical phrase often associated with the negative effects of urban sprawl, suggesting the destruction of natural landscapes for development.
- Critics argue that the new highway extension is just another case of paving over paradise.
Noun
- an aggregation or continuous network of urban communities