“Cities have the capability of providing something for everybody, only because, and only when,

they are created by everybody.”

Jacobs

What is urban sprawl?

Sprawl is a low-density, auto-dependent land development taking place on the edges of urban

centers, often “leap-frogging” away from the current denser development nodes, to

transform open, undeveloped land, into single family residential subdivisions and campus-style

commercial office parks and diffuse retail uses. It separates where people live from where they

work and therefore requiring cars. There is also rigid segregation between residential, offices

and shopping areas. It often develops at the semirural land at the periphery of an urban area.

Sprawl was defined as ‘the lack of continuity in expansion’. It can refer to dispersed

development which increases pressure on local government resources such as public transport

or water and sewage.

The term was first used in 1937 by Earle Draper. Sprawl is defined in terms of:

Density attributes of a settlement system

Structure and form of settlement

Socially relevant effects of land use

Originally, development of suburbs was a solution for families to begin new communities free

from the characteristics of overcrowded and congested cities. Unfortunately, the result in

decades of increased population growth and unplanned development has severely affected

the nation.

The 8 dimensions of sprawl are:

Density (residential units per acre)

Continuity (leapfrog, fragmented development)

Concentration (open space protection, infrastructure costs)

Clustering (urban form/ design, impervious surfaces)

Centrality (relationship to CBD)

Nuclearity

Mixed uses (Spatial mismatch, congestion)

Proximity (distance between uses)

What are the consequences of urban sprawl?

The main consequences of urban sprawl are: low residential density, spatial segregation of

different type of land uses through zoning regulations, discontinuous development, no

centralized ownership of land or planning of development, transportation by privately owned

vehicles, widespread commercial strip development along major roadways. Other major

impacts of sprawl are ecological, social and health related.

Unplanned and irresponsible sprawl developments have had severe effects on the natural

environment, human health, and social divides. Due to massive land consumption, wetlands,

forests, and agricultural land are converted to subdivisions, shopping centers and roads.

These lands no longer perform natural processes crucial to ecosystem health.

With a lack of alternatives, personal automobiles are the primary mode of transportation.

Residents conduct more driving, contributing towards traffic congestion, unsustainable oil

consumption, degradation of air quality, and climate change.

Public health is another major concern of sprawled communities. As a result of spending

more time and money commuting in vehicles, a sedentary lifestyle can result in obesity and

increase of stress levels. Sources of drinking water are vulnerable to contamination.

Converted land reduces natural water filtration resulting in runoff (sedimentation and

chemicals) penetrating rivers, lakes, and the ocean.

Social divides of race and class are common throughout sprawl.

What is Jane Jacobs view about urban sprawl?

Jane Jacobs (1916-2006) was an urban writer and activist who championed new, community-

based approaches to urban planning. Her 1961 treatise, The Death and Life of Great American

Cities, became perhaps the most influential American text about the inner workings and

failings of cities, inspiring generations of urban planners and activists.

“With humility and common sense, she taught the world how to understand and value cities

through direct observation, persistent questioning and discovery. Her faith in the wisdom of

local citizens lives on in the civic battles in which she participated and her wisdom lives on in

the writing of her nine seminal books.” —

The Center for the Living City at Purchase College

Jane Jacobs viewed city as an ecosystem where buildings, streets and neighborhoods

function as dynamic organisms. She explained how each element of a city – sidewalks,

parks, neighborhoods, government, and economy – functions together synergistically, in

the same manner as the natural ecosystem.

Jacobs favored mixed use development-

the integration of different building types

and uses, whether residential or

commercial, old or new. She said in her

book that,

“The district, and indeed as many of its

internal parts as possible, must serve more than one primary function, preferably more

than two. These must ensure the presence of people who go outdoors on different

schedules and are in place for different purposes, but who are able to use many facilities

in common”

“Intricate mingling of different uses in cities are not a form of chaos. On the contrary,

they represent a complex and highly developed form of order”

Jacobs favored high density because she considered it vital for the economic growth and

prosperity of city. In the case of enough people in enough dwellings, the diversity can be

generated and people can develop attachment and loyalty to their unique neighborhood

mixture of things, without overcrowding. Jacobs understood that density provides critical

mass. Density means good stores, good services, cafes, and restaurants. It also means

street life and round-the-clock activity—all of which means safety. The city is safe these

days not only because the Police Department has fought crime strategically but also

because the streets are full of people day and night.

Jacobs recommended that small blocks should be used instead of large blocks. This is to

promote social interaction chances and healthy community living. This also reduces crime

opportunities.

Jacobs contested the traditional planning approach that relies on the judgment of outside

experts, proposing that local expertise is better suited to guiding community development.

CONCLUSION:

Clearly, the approach of Jane Jacobs is against urban sprawl. Urban sprawl is characterized by

low density developments along the periphery of a city whereas Jacobs is with the high density

development. Because a city can be a never ending phenomenon if we let it grow that way

and it can ultimately destroy our natural ecosystem.

Similarly, Jacobs is against the segregation of primary and secondary land uses. Urban Sprawl

is on the other hand produced by the separation of land uses. This causes man to depend

more and more on private commuting and hence increases traffic congestion and health

problems.

It is therefore important to deal with the ever-growing negative consequences of urban sprawl

using the theory of Jane Jacobs. After all we are all experiencing at current, what Jacobs

predicted long ago. City is for the people and people themselves have to stand up for it.

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

http://www.manhattan-institute.org/email/crd_newsletter09-07.html

http://courses.washington.edu/gmforum/Readings/Breheny.pdf

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jane_Jacobs

Jacobs, The Life and Death of Great American Cities

http://thumbnails.visually.netdna-cdn.com/how-our-cities-are-shaping-us-urban-sprawl-

and-its-impact-on-our-health_517abe3e562bc_w594.jpg

http://mth5bt.files.wordpress.com/2011/11/ex4diagram.jpg

https://www.pps.org/reference/jjacobs-2/