class 11.2

Question 1

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF SUBURBS

Answer 1

Low densities

Separation of uses

Reliance on automobile infrastructure

Question 2

EXURBS (peri-urban spaces)

Answer 2

Occupy the interface between urban and rural areas

–> parts of metropolitan regions that are beyond the suburbs and predominantly rural

Question 3

Factors affecting the cost of municipal services in suburbs

Answer 3

Density

Distance

Dispersion/discontinuity

Diversity of uses

Demographics

Delivery standards

Question 4

SOCIAL CRITIQUE OF SUBURBS

Answer 4

• Associated with conformity, lack of sophistication
• Reflects a culture of individualism
• Profit over civic virtue

Question 5

ENVIRONMENTAL CRITIQUES OF SUBURBANIZATION

Answer 5

We’re building more city per person now then we did historically

Environmental impacts:
* Biodiversity loss
* Loss of wetlands
* Air pollution
* Greenhouse gas emissions

Question 6

WHAT EXACTLY IS SPRAWL?

the 4 dimensions

Answer 6

• Low residential density
• Low use mix
• Low “centering” (activity concentration)
• Poor street connectivity (block size, intersection density)

Question 7

WHAT CAUSES URBAN SPRAWL?

Answer 7

Land prices

Transportation systems

Social preferences

Later: Contemporary planning regulations

Question 8

PLANNING, URBAN DESIGN & PUBLIC HEALTH

Answer 8

Early history of urban planning profession was heavily focused on public health.

Over time the two fields have moved apart from one another.

Health is now largely the domain of health care systems and public health agencies.

Question 9

DIRECT HEALTH IMPACTS OF SPRAWL

Answer 9

Air pollution

Motor vehicle crashes

Urban sprawl –> more car trips –> higher risk of a crash –>
potential for injury or death

Question 10

INDIRECT HEALTH IMPACTS OF SPRAWL

Answer 10

Physical activity

Urban heat island effect

Mental health

Social capital

Question 11

IMPACTS ON PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

Answer 11

Urban sprawl –> less physical activity –> higher rates of obesity and chronic illness

Question 12

URBAN HEAT ISLAND EFFECT

Answer 12

Urban sprawl –> stronger UHI –> more extreme heat waves –> more heat-related illness and death

Question 13

MENTAL HEALTH

Answer 13

Urban sprawl –> more traffic and congestion –> stress –> more incidences of road rage

Question 14

effects on social capital

Answer 14

There’s an opportunity cost to the time we spend commuting: time for leisure, family & friends, volunteering, civil engagement.

Some argue that suburbanization has accompanied a decline in social capital (the relationships and bonds that hold society
together).

Individualization and isolation undermines social connectedness and mutual support.

Question 15

NEW URBANISM

Answer 15

walkable cities

Question 16

Urban growth boundaries

Answer 16

limit urban expansion at the regional level

Question 17

Density bonuses

Answer 17

increases buildable area on a site

Often negotiated with developers in exchange for specific amenities

Question 18

Minimum density thresholds

Answer 18

Zoning traditionally sets maximum floor area ratios (FAR)

some cities are shifting to minimum FARs