BABEŞ-BOLYAI UNIVERSITYFaculty of Political, Administrative and Communication

Sciences

Urban sprawl in EuropeEEA report 2006

Codreanu Ana-Maria Public Services Management

1st Year

Et in suburbia ego?

A preamble for the EEA report- urban sprawl in Europe;

It emphasizes how suburban areas have acquired all the characteristics of cities;

Why live in a city?

The Economist May 5th 2007

I. Introduction in urban sprawl

What is urban sprawl?- a process of physical expansion in urban areas

- implies little planning control of land

- is the opposite of compact cities

Why sprawl matters?- a great concern for the urban future of Europe

- the major impacts raised by the urban sprawl.

Why are cities sprawling?

- increasing urban

population,

- a response to improve

transportation links and

enhance person mobility,

- where unplanned

development dominates.

II. The extent of urban sprawl in Europe

Compact cities vs. Sprawled cities

In the former socialist countries

Bilbao- the most compact city in Europe

Western and Northern Europe

Udine- the most sprawled city in Europe

III. The drivers of urban sprawl

A. Macro-economic factorsB. Micro-economic factorsC. Social factorsD. Demographic factorsE. Housing preferencesF. Inner city problemsG. TransportationH. Regulatory frameworks

Case study- Madrid region- a sprawled region

Why? - an increased demand for new houses

supported by a favorable economic situation,

- an increased mobility based on a

substantially improved transport network.

How to reduce the sprawl?Future development paths: - business-as-usual

- compact development

- scattered development

IV. The impacts of urban sprawl

1. Environmental impacts: Natural resources and energy Natural and protected areas Rural environments

Urban quality of life and health

2. Socio-economic impacts: Segregation according to income Urban sprawl- a costly form of urban development

V. Responses to urban sprawl

The EU white paper on European governance provides

the following principles for intervention to counter

sprawl at all levels:

Policy coherence

Responsiveness to local conditions

Cooperation in policy development

Case study- Munich- a compact city model

Conclusions

Urban sprawl - a major challenge for the urban future of Europe

European landscape reveals day-by-day who we are

Thank you!