The Urban Sprawl Literature & Language Research Paper

An In-depth Analysis of the Urban Sprawl 
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Negative effects of urban sprawl
Introduction
The growth of urban development is inevitable as a consequence of more people seeking the American dream of homeownership and privacy. However, this dream has resulted in wildland-urban interface as the growth has constantly gone beyond city limits. As a result, urban sprawl has been defined as low density development beyond the edge of service and employment, which separates where people live from where they shop, work, recreate and educate thus requiring cars to move between zones. Therefore, urban sprawl development occurs without the consideration of commercial needs, infrastructure, quality of life, and efficient transportation options. Consequently, urban sprawl development has degraded rather than improve the general life of human beings. Nevertheless, despite the benefits and attraction of people having big houses and private lawns, it is important to recognize the environmental, health, and social-economical effects that result from sprawl development.
Sprawl effect on the environment
One of the urban sprawl’s most dangerous consequences is on the quality of air. However, Bereitschaft (2013) links this problem to the motor-vehicle intensive behavior that results from urban sprawl. Furthermore, this culture is promoted by long-distance commuting, as a result; residents in these areas got into their cars for just everything. A combination of nitrogen oxides and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) that comes from these motor vehicles form smog, which is also known as ground-level ozone. For instance, Phoenix, Houston, and Denver which attribute to the rapid sprawl development are very synonymous with smog. However, according to the Clean Air Report of 2016, none of these areas complies with the clean air act standards due to rapid sprawl development.
Furthermore, increased temperatures in urban areas also have indirect effects on air pollution. However, as the temperature rises, so does the demand for energy to power fans, air coolers, water coolers, and air conditioners; requiring power plants to increase their output. The majority of power plants burn fossil fuels, so increased demand of power in summer results in higher emissions of the pollutants they generate, including carbon dioxide, particulate matter, sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides, and air toxins. Interestingly, it is lavish homes in sprawl areas that have a high demand for this equipment that requires huge energy.
Therefore, as a result of increased air pollution, healthy adults in these areas are subject to respiratory problems which can impair their lungs. Respiratory problems like bronchitis and asthma due to poor air quality not only subject the health care system to increased medical costs but also increases the risk of life-threatening conditions like cancer. This sentiment is supported by the Union of Concerned Scientist which indicate that THE chemical matter from vehicle emissions is single-handedly responsible for up to 30,000 premature deaths in the United States each year. However, this problem seems to be escalating since the average time spent behind the wheel keeps increasing i...