Question

Explain the term urban sprawl.

Answer 1

Urban sprawl refers to the unplanned and uncontrolled expansion of cities into the surrounding rural areas. It usually occurs at the outskirts of urban centres, where cities spread outwards due to rapid population growth, migration, and increasing demand for housing and infrastructure.

This expansion leads to the conversion of agricultural and forest land into residential, commercial, and industrial zones. Urban sprawl often lacks proper planning, resulting in problems like traffic congestion, pollution, loss of green spaces, and poor access to public services.