Impact
Geography: Cambridge International GCSE (2027 Exams), topic 7.2.2
Urban Sprawl and Its Effects on Rural-Urban Fringe Areas
Urban sprawl extends cities into rural-urban fringe zones, altering land use, affecting environments, and creating social and economic challenges in these surrounding areas.
Environmental impacts of urban sprawl
- The expansion of cities causes increased air and water pollution in fringe zones.
- Urban sprawl creates more traffic congestion, raising carbon emissions.
- There is pressure on water resources due to rising demand.
- Soil erosion and flooding risk increase as natural land is sealed by concrete.
Social and economic effects
- Suburbanisation is the process where people move from city centres to live in new homes on the outskirts or edges of a city.
- Suburbanisation may lead to loss of farmland and green spaces around cities.
- New suburbs can create social divisions between long-term residents and newcomers.
- Suburbanisation can bring new shops, schools, and jobs to rural areas near the city.
- Rural communities may benefit from improved services and infrastructure due to suburban growth.
Brownfield sites and greenfield sites
- Brownfield sites are old, unused urban areas, often with buildings or factories to redevelop.
- Brownfield sites help reduce urban sprawl by reusing land inside the city.
- Greenfield sites are undeveloped land outside the city, often farmland or countryside.
- Building on greenfield sites can increase urban sprawl and harm natural habitats.
- Environmentalists often support redeveloping brownfield sites to protect greenfield areas and wildlife.
Formation of squatter settlements
- Squatter settlements form when rapid urban growth outpaces housing supply.
- Migrants move to cities seeking jobs and services but cannot afford formal housing.
- People build makeshift homes on unused or unsafe land, often at the rural-urban fringe.
- These areas usually lack clean water, sanitation, and electricity.
- Settlements grow quickly and can become permanent communities over time.
Test yourself on Impact
What is the primary environmental consequence of sealing natural land with concrete?
Which area is most directly affected by urban sprawl expansion?