Eden Prairie, Florida Urban Sprawl vs Sustainable Development

= Baltimore The map to the right shows Urban Sprawl in Baltimore, MD starting in 1792 A. Watch the graphic change. List some predictions of the effects of Urban growth… E S P N

What causes an area to change from a low settlement to urban sprawl?

Why are some many people moving to Florida??

Urban sprawl: What it looks like – San Jose, Ca B. Urban Sprawl – when a city grows quickly and spreads out causing negative consequences

Phoenix, Az Video Clip – if it won’t play, go to the folder and play it manually. C. What causes urban sprawl? D. What problems does urban sprawl create? Directions: As you watch the clip about Phoenix, AZ answer the questions below in your notes.

E. Causes of Urban Sprawl 1. Infrastructure and transportation – Highways and cheap gas let people move to the suburbs

Compare LA’s sprawl to Houston… Houston I-59 interchange, one of the worst intersections in the USA for traffic jams.

E. Causes of Urban Sprawl 2. Unrestricted Growth – people being allowed to build anywhere

EconomicSocialPoliticaleNvironmental

ECONOMIC EFFECTS – 1. Stressed Infrastructure – high traffic, water supply 2. Spatial Inequality – rich areas right next to poor areas

ECONOMIC EFFECTS 1. Stressed Infrastructure – high traffic, water supply 2. Spatial Inequality – rich areas right next to poor areas 3. Increases Demand (more $$) – construction, real estate, cable companies, energy companies, home improvement

SOCIAL EFFECTS 1) Stressed public services - schools, hospitals, police/fire 86 mins 98 mins 86 mins 98 mins 86 mins 98 mins “Houston Police Department chief says department faces staffing shortage” - KHOU.com 10/1/10

SOCIAL EFFECTS 2) Segregated neighborhoods - by class and raceSegregated neighborhoods SOCIAL EFFECTS 2) Segregated neighborhoods - by class and raceSegregated neighborhoods Dividing boundary near 8 Mile Road in Detroit, Michigan. This border divides two racially segregated (by choice) neighborhoods.

POLITICAL SECTION 1) Conflict over laws restricting sprawl 2) Increased taxes to pay for new demand on public services CY-FAIR SCHOOL DISTRICT IS COMING DOWN TO BUDGET CRUNCH TIME The district is facing a projected $10 million deficit in the operations budget, and similar deficits in the next few years if additional funding is not given to public education by the Texas state government, Cy- Fair ISD Superintendent David Anthony said. Because that probably will not happen, the district will have to reduce the budget each year. That could include a property tax increase, which would have to be approved by voters in a tax rollback election. “We have cut to the bone in the past two years, Anthony said. Any additional budget cuts will affect services and the quality education the district provides to its students. Our schools will probably not be as clean and it could become harder to retain the quality staff and instructors that Cy-Fair ISD is known for." - From Cy-Fair Magazine, 3/4/10

SAMPLE POLITICAL ARGUMENT Candidate A “Urban sprawl destroys the environment and animal habitats. Urban sprawl also pollutes our air and water.” “Urban sprawl is putting major pressure on our schools, water systems, law enforcement, and hospitals. This makes them worse and less effective. Improving these institutions will require higher taxes.” “Urban sprawl will cause increased unemployment in urban areas.” Candidate B “Our citizens have the right to build on their land. Don’t let the government infringe on our property rights. ” “You’re taking away my freedoms, if I want to drive 3 hours to work in my Hummer everyday I will.” “Urban sprawl helps the construction industry cause people need homes, roads, and schools. That creates jobs.” READ 3.Task – Which candidate do you agree with? Create an additional argument for Candidate A or Candidate B. Add this to your notes in the political effects section.

ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS 1) Pollution - water, air 2) Deforestation 3) Destroys biomes and animal habitat

G.Food Deserts – poor sections of urban areas don’t have access to healthy food (M Obama) (Chicago) (Houston) Clip Questions a) What social problem is created by this economic issue? b) How does urban sprawl contribute to this problem? c) What are reasons food deserts happen in some places and not others? (ESPN)

Describe the areas of Chicago that have ‘food deserts’ What are causes of Food deserts?

Key: - Red = White - Blue = Black - Green = Asian - Orange = Hispanic - Gray = Other - Each dot = 25 people. Data from 2000 Census. Lakeview – 24 grocery stores A little to the west of Lakeview – 8 grocery stores in a larger area

H. Solutions What to do? How do you fix the problems created by urban sprawl? What about land use laws? –Is it ok to tell a person they can not build on their own land? READ

Directions: As you watch the clip about Celebration, FL, answer the question below. Celebration, Florida> if it won’t play, go to the folder and play it manually. 1.Explain why Celebration, Fl is considered a sustainable community. (4-5 examples)

Directions: As you watch the clip about Portland, OR, answer the question below on your handout. Portland,Oregon if it won’t play, go to the folder and play it manually. 2. How is Portland, Or. trying to solve Urban Sprawl?

SOLUTIONS TO URBAN SPRAWL 1.Sustainable communities 3. Urban renewal 2. Development boundaries Define: Characteristics Define: Picture Define: Picture

Sustainable Communities – cities developed to work with less pollution and reduce effects of urban sprawl

Characteristics of Sustainable Communities: 1) Land for growing crops 2) Mass transportation 3) Green spaces 4) Smart Growth – jobs and schools in the same neighborhoods

2. Development Boundaries – passing laws that restrict growth

3. Urban Renewal - Improving downtown areas and former industrial sites.

Urban Renewal <<<<<<< Before and After

Sample plan for a Sustainable Community

Closure: You are about to attend a public hearing about Urban Sprawl. Your job is to explain to the politicians why urban sprawl is a problem. You will take a position as a one of these people > –Small farmer/landowner Environmentalist –Land developer Business owner –School officials 1) Explain why Urban Sprawl is a concern, economically and politically –ECONOMIC REASONS (2) –POLITICAL REASONS (2) 2) Explain what you would do to limit the negative effects of Urban Sprawl in Houston –A –B