Seventy-five percent of Europe's population currently resides in urban areas. But the amount of land used per person has more than doubled in the past 50 years, indicative of a region-wide increase in urban sprawl. A new report by the European Environment Agency (EEA) provides key data and analyses of the root causes and extent of Europe's recent urban expansion. The report also discusses how better government coordination and controls can curb sprawl and limit negative environmental and social impacts.
What is urban sprawl?
Urban sprawl is the low-density expansion of an urban population away from a city center through unplanned, incremental development.
The phenomenon typically results from increased wealth and social desires to "escape the city" and lead a "suburban lifestyle," with more open space and isolation. Urban sprawl is often associated with cities of the western United States, but occurs in cities throughout the world.
Europe and sprawl
According to Urban Sprawl in Europe: The ignored challenge, the outward expansion of urban areas in Europe has occurred without pressure from population growth. Instead, a host of related drivers (both macro and micro in scale), including rising standards of living, low land prices, inner city problems, and economic globalization have enabled individuals, families, and businesses to relocate beyond the city proper. This sprawl has substantially altered the European landscape in recent years. For example, since the 1990s, approximately 800,000 hectares of farmland have been converted to roadways and many coastal regions are becoming increasingly connected to inland areas.
From EEA, 2006. Urban Sprawl in Europe: The ignored challenge.
There are numerous implications of urban sprawl.
Urban sprawl requires more:
- Energy (see figure below)
- Resources
- Transportation infrastructure
- Land
Urban sprawl produces more:
- Pollution
- Waste
- Road congestion
- Greenhouse gas emissions
According to the report, at current rates of sprawl, the number of road kilometers traveled in urban areas is expected to rise by 40% between 1995 and 2030.
From EEA, 2006. Urban Sprawl in Europe: The ignored challenge.
Policy Solutions
According to the EEA, the regulation of urban development at both the local and regional level is critical. Demands for land will likely continue to grow in coming decades as transportation developments and improved economic well-being permit a greater number of individuals to be more selective about where they live.
Effective solutions will require greater interaction between levels of government and a policy shift to urban planning that considers long-term, social and environmental effects in addition to market-based outcomes.
RELATED LINKS:
Urban Sprawl in Europe: The ignored challenge (pdf)
EarthTrends
Transportation and Urban area indicators
