Urban Sprawl
June 5, 2008
What is Sprawl?
Significant
development in
places where it could
be damaging - in
rural, undeveloped,
and developing
suburban areas.
Sprawl is unlimited outward
development in low-density and
leapfrog form at the outer reaches
of a metropolitan area.
(Rutgers University Center for Urban Policy
Research, 1998)
State Definition 9J-5.003 (134)
“Urban sprawl” means urban development in rural areas, or
rural areas with low-intensity or low-density urban uses, and
that have the following:
(a) Premature or poorly planned conversion of rural land to
other uses;
(b) Development that is not functionally related to land uses
that predominate the adjacent area; or
(c) Development that fails to maximize existing public
facilities and services are currently provided.
State Definition 9J-5.003 (134)
Urban sprawl is typically one or more of the
following land use patterns:
– Leapfrog or scattered development;
– Ribbon or strip commercial development
– Large expanses of low-intensity, low-density,
or single-use development.
Urban Sprawl Indicators 9J-5.006(5)
Development in
substantial areas
as low-intensity,
low-density, or
single-uses in
excess of
demonstrated
need.
Urban Sprawl Indicators
Significant urban development in rural areas at
substantial distances from existing urban areas that
leaps over undeveloped lands that are available and
suitable for development.
Urban Sprawl Indicators
Urban development in radial,
strip, isolated or ribbon patterns
emanating from urban areas.
Urban Sprawl Indicators
Conversion of rural land
to uses that fail to protect
natural resources:
–
–
–
–
–
Wetlands
Floodplains
Native vegetation
Natural groundwater aquifer
recharge areas
Lakes, rivers, shorelines,
beaches, bays, estuarine
systems.
Urban Sprawl Indicators
Fails to protect
adjacent
agricultural areas
and activities,
including active and
passive agricultural
activities and
dormant, unique
and prime
farmlands and soils.
Urban Sprawl Indicators
Fails to maximize use of
existing and future public
facilities and services.
Urban Sprawl Indicators
Land use that disproportionately increases the cost of
facilities and services such as roads, water, sanitary
sewer, stormwater management, law enforcement,
education, health care, fire and emergency response,
and general government.
Urban Sprawl Indicators
Fails to provide a clear separation between
rural and urban uses.
Urban Sprawl Indicators
Discourages or inhibits infill or redevelopment in
existing neighborhoods and communities.
Urban Sprawl Indicators
Fails to encourage an attractive and functional mix
of uses.
Urban Sprawl Indicators
Results in poor accessibility among linked or
related land uses.
Networks of streets (left) can carry more traffic and result in higher-quality public
space than isolated developments linked to one road (right).
Urban Sprawl Indicators
Results in the loss of significant amounts of
functional open space. Wild life corridors