What does urban sprawl refer to?

Urban sprawl refers to the unplanned and often uncontrolled expansion of urban areas into the surrounding countryside. This phenomenon typically occurs when cities expand rapidly without adequate planning, leading to the development of residential, commercial, and industrial areas in previously rural or undeveloped land.

The key aspects of urban sprawl include the transformation of green spaces into urban developments, increased reliance on automobiles due to the spread of infrastructure, and challenges with providing services and transportation networks effectively. It is characterized by scattered development patterns and may result in various issues such as traffic congestion, environmental degradation, and the loss of agricultural land.

The other options describe concepts that do not align with the essence of urban sprawl. Planned growth of urban areas implies a controlled and intentional expansion process, while an increase in population density focuses on intensifying use within the existing urban footprint. Conversely, the reduction of urban development contradicts the very definition of sprawl, as sprawl denotes growth rather than reduction. Thus, the notion of unplanned growth is central to understanding what urban sprawl encapsulates.