Funferal

Urban sprawl causing problems in Dublin, Europe

Not surprising, but a disturbing report on urban sprawl from the European Environment Agency is, somewhat damning:

New member states are being warned to take note and not let their cities go the way of cities such as Dublin and Brussels.

Now, I like Dublin, in large part, but the suburbanization is rather, well, problematic. What’s the problem?

The EEA says people living in sprawling cities need more energy supply systems and road networks making them travel further and consume more, which increases air pollution and their contribution to climate change. The result is more damage to the natural environment than in compact cities.
“Urban sprawl is a reflection of changing lifestyles and consumption patterns rather than an expanding population. Increasing demands from housing, food, transport and tourism all demand land,” said Jacqueline McGlade, head of the EEA.

Note that urban sprawl is different from urbanization per se:

Urban sprawl – which is “when the rate of land-use conversion exceeds the rate of population growth” – has in Europe consumed an area three times the size of Luxembourg between 1990-2000 alone. If the trend continues, Europe’s urban area will double in just over a century, warns the EEA.