Urban sprawl refers to the outward expansion of urban areas into surrounding rural or undeveloped land, characterized by low-density development, single-family housing, and car dependency. This results from zoning policies prioritizing large-lot residential developments, which can lead to fragmented land use and increased infrastructure demands.
Urban sprawl significantly impacts key aspects of urban life, including livability, accessibility, and sustainability. It undermines livability by fostering car-dependent communities, restricting access to essential services, and reducing opportunities for social interaction within compact, walkable spaces. Accessibility is compromised as sprawling developments isolate residents from employment hubs, transit, and vital amenities, increasing reliance on personal vehicles and exacerbating transportation inequities. Additionally, sprawl poses significant sustainability challenges, including habitat loss, higher greenhouse gas emissions, and inefficient resource use due to the extended infrastructure required to support low-density development.
Across Canada, sprawl has shaped the development of major cities, with suburban growth outpacing urban core expansion. Suburban areas have accommodated the majority of population growth, highlighting the ongoing trend of urban sprawl as a primary development pattern. Urban planners and policymakers address these issues while accommodating population growth, necessitating innovative approaches such as transit-oriented developments (TODs) and densification policies.
Urban sprawl arises from socioeconomic trends, policy decisions, and development pressures. As cities grow, outward expansion often reflects economic incentives and infrastructure priorities. In regions like Metro Vancouver, unique geographic and housing challenges shape these patterns, making it crucial to understand the factors driving sprawl.
Below is an expanded examination of these factors:
Urban sprawl in the Lower Mainland has progressed in response to population growth, housing demand, and infrastructure development. In the mid-20th century, suburban expansion was driven by increased automobile use and zoning policies favoring single-family housing. Early growth occurred in areas like Burnaby, New Westminster, and North Vancouver, supported by investments in highways and bridges. These policies encouraged outward expansion, establishing low-density neighborhoods reliant on cars.
In recent decades, regional policies have sought to contain sprawl by promoting densification and transit-oriented developments. These initiatives focus on directing growth into urban centers and preserving green and agricultural spaces. However, there are ongoing challenge of balancing growth management with housing demand and environmental preservation.
Urban sprawl in Metro Vancouver is shaped by unique geographic, economic, and policy factors that distinguish it from other urban regions.
These include: