Factors in Urban Sprawl: Finances, Society, and Race - Essay Example

Factors in Urban Sprawl: Finances, Society, and Race I. Introduction Urban sprawl is a major problem. The ability of an individual to drive a vehicle over and beyond riding on public transportation is a privilege, not a right. As such, there are different factors that one must take into account when considering the impact of urban sprawl-which is basically the spreading of a city to its outskirts. These factors which affect who can drive and who can't are varying, but principally they include: finances, society, and race. II. Finances Car usage is seemingly worthy enough of a topic in order to seriously study its effects. A "statistical study of the contribution of theories previously offered by economists to explain differences in the degree of urban decentralization in the U.S [was conducted]. The focus [was] on a relative comparison of the influence of auto reliance."1 Auto reliance does seem to have an effect on the sprawl of an urban area and population density, it is estimated. "A regression analysis reveals that a 10 percent reduction in the percentage of households owning one or more autos would reduce the square mile size of an urban area by only 0.5 percent and raise its population density by only 0.7 percent."2 A few different elements influence the factor of finances in urban sprawl. However, it is mainly peoples' finances (or per capita income) that determine whether or not an area will have higher urban sprawl. "Factors falling under the categories of "natural evolution" and "flight from blight" exert a far greater magnitude of influence. For instance, a 10 percent reduction in per capita income would reduce the square mile size of an urban area by 11.4 percent."3 The less money that one makes, apparently, means that there is going to be a greater population density. A reduction in per capita income would also "raise [a city's] population density by 10.1 percent, while a 10 percent decrease in the percentage central place(s) population poor would reduce the square mile size of an urban area by 2.6 percent and raise its population density by 1.7 percent. A significant increase in urban decentralization will require more than just reduced auto reliance."4 Economically speaking, usage of roads that is not adequately priced lends to people moving away from the polis. "[A]n explanation of urban sprawl [is provided] using topics commonly taught in the principles of economics course. Specifically, employing the concepts of congestible public goods, [it is] explain[ed] that underpriced road usage leads to an inefficiently large proportion of the population moving farther from the cities."5 The fact that roads are being utilized by more cars affects urban sprawl, lessening the price o the roads. In this case, demand is less of an issue. "Increased demand for highway usage leads to expansion of the roads, according to common public policy, which reduces the price of using the road even lower than its already inefficient price. Given time to adjust to the lower price of travel, peak demand becomes more elastic and drivers shift away from the inconvenient off-peak to the now relatively cheaper peak alternative.6 Not only this, but there is a correlation between road usage and other public utility features. The underpricing of both of these elements contributes to urban sprawl. Additionally, "there is complementarity between highways and other trunk-line public utilities. The underpricing of these congestible goods results in an increased demand for their complement: highway usage."7 III. Society Environmental health and health education within society would help prevent urban sprawl. "Interventions to address current, future, and potential public health dilemmas, such as air pollution, urban sprawl, brown field reclamation, and threats of intentional toxic exposures would benefit from a synergy between the disciplines of environmental health and health education."8 Interventions are possible to counteract urban sprawl. "Promising intervention strategies draw on the expertise of both fields and include social action, policy and media advocacy, coalition building, organizational change, lay health advisers, risk communication, and tailored educational messages."9 In order to change the alarming rate at which urban sprawl is taking place, society must take responsibility for this urban sprawl. "Appropriate targets of change can range from the equitable distribution of resources to individual behavior change. Significant interdisciplinary evaluation research is necessary to accelerate the identification of successful models for reducing the burden of environmental health problems in communities."10 Social capital can also play a role in urban sprawl. "Social capital is a person or group's sympathy for others. The social capital paradigm includes social capital, networks, socio-emotional goods, attachment values, institutions, and power."11 The more people have sympathy for one another, the more they are likely to effect change with regards to these issues. Functioning in society and changing one's perspective on how to live one's life-for example, taking public transportation instead of a vehicle-takes an incredible amount of inner strength and willpower. However, taking this action would be for the benefit of the environment as well as to stop the increase of urban sprawl. IV. Race Slow growth policies are supposed to be taking effect to inhibit urban sprawl. However, one's race can affect how one reacts to and is affected by urban sprawl. It was found that, "from surveys of urban and suburban dwellers regarding support for growth control measures[s]uburbanites were much more receptive to slow growth policies than were urbanites, though support among suburbanites varied by race, socioeconomic status, and urbanicity."12 In one study, "how social capital is used within Latino communities in the Grand Rapids Metropolitan Area of Michigan [was conducted]. It describe[d] migration, housing, education, labor, urban sprawl, health, and social capital among the Michigan Latino communities. The authors conducted a survey in May and June 2004 based on personal interviews with 100 Latino immigrant head of households living in the area, in order to evaluate how Latino immigrants use social capital in the process of immigration."13 Apparently, urban sprawl is a major issue for the Latino community. The fact that Latinos use social capital speaks volumes about the fact that Latinos live in large communities since their social capital is so vast. "Over 60% of the survey participants reported being of Mexican origin. The results of this study show that Latino immigrants use their social capital, especially bonding social capital, during the entire process."14 Various elements of public services (including transportation) were available to Latinos. "Family members-already living in the area provide potential immigrants basic information about housing facilities, educational and employment opportunities, and public services. In some cases, upon their arrival to the area, immigrants already have living facilities waiting for them as well as a secure job."15 It was found that social capital played an important role for Latinos in a particular geographic region. "The study conclude[d] that social capital plays an important role for many Latinos who migrate to the Grand Rapids area."16 According to the study, "[p]olicy recommendations are suggested, such as modifying immigration laws and strengthening family and community networks, that will not only lead to higher levels of social capital, but will also assist immigrants, especially Latinos, in their settlement process within the new environment in which they develop their daily activities."17 This settlement process which is spoken of is part of the phenomena of urban sprawl. The way various races communicate across cultures may definitely affect how urban sprawl develops. "[One] study examined the degree to which members of different ethnic groups--Whites/Anglos, Hispanic/Latinos, Asians, and Blacks--vary in (1) the reasons they adopt for communicating or not communicating with strangers, (2) the situations in which they choose to interact with strangers, and (3) the types of strangers with whom they feel comfortable communicating."18 Results of such a study would help one conclude that race does play a factor in social interaction, which then would have an effect on urban sprawl-for example, Blacks were most likely to communicate with a person of another race on public transportation.19 Urban sprawl has affected many parts of the country, especially L.A. Race-related issues with regard to public transportation availability have been the norm. "The proceedings of a 1984 public hearing on finding solutions to race-related problems in South Central Los Angeles, California, [have been] summarized[and] it is said, considerable evidence was presented to suggest that the policy changes needed in both the public and private sectors have not been achieved and continue to be major obstacles to improvement."20 Additionally, although transportation has improved, there are still several areas that need to be amended or otherwise fixed. These areas are not related to transportation necessarily but do have an effect on urban sprawl. "[Another] section outlines major findings. It reports that, since 1965, the greatest progress has been made in transportation and significant progress has been made in health; however, police-community relations, employment, welfare and social services, education, and housing remain as critical problem areas."21 Hopefully, these areas will have been rectified by agencies that will be set up to deal with these race-related issues in transportation and other areas. Additionally, a task force was, after this report, most likely put in place to ensure that the recommendations of the study were properly followed, thus helping to retard the element of urban sprawl with the improvement of public transportation. "[Yet another] section presents two basic recommendations: (1) in each problem area, a key agency should be appointed to review the various commission reports and to develop specific solutions, implementation methods, resources, and a time-table for implementation; and (2) a Blue Ribbon Task Force should be appointed to evaluate the effectiveness of responses to this hearing's recommendations."22 V. Conclusion Urban sprawl is a problem that many communities face. As people move farther and farther out into the outskirts of cities and towns, urban sprawl will continue to be a point of contention. It can be stopped, but communities have to want to stop it. Urban sprawl can be exacerbated by the factors of finances, society, and race. REFERENCES Eckenrod, Sarah B., et. al. "Teaching the Economics of Urban Sprawl in the Principles of Economics Course." Journal of Economic Education, 2004, 35(3): 295. Gainsborough, Juliet F. "Slow Growth and Urban Sprawl: Support For a New Regional Agenda" Urban Affairs Review, 2002, 37(5): 728-744. Kegler, Michelle Crozier. "Environmental Health Promotion Interventions: Considerations for Preparation And Practice." Health Education and Behavior, 2004, 31(4): 510-525. Korzenny, Felipe. "Stranger Ethnicity and Communication." USA: Anon, 1987. Pp. 1. "McCone Revisited: A Focus on Solutions to Continuing Problems in South Central Los Angeles." USA: Anon, 1985. Pp. 1. Siles, Marcelo, et. al. "The Impact of Latino Immigrants in Grand Rapids' Urban Development: A Social Capital Approach. JSRI Research Report No. 37." Julian Samora Research Institute, 2006, pp. 1. Wassmer, Robert W. "Causes of Urban Sprawl in the United States: Auto Reliance as Compared to Natural Evolution, Flight from Blight, and Local Revenue Reliance." Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, 2008, 27(3): 536-555. Read More