Paper Topic:

Mitigation Strategies and Solutions

Urban sprawl and air pollution : mitigating the environmental effects

The problem of urban sprawl and air pollution

Many urban areas are characterized by urban sprawl , which refers to the emergence of low-density , car-dependent development on the outskirts of an urban area . Such suburbs are characterized by spread-out residential areas and low population densities which cannot support an effective public transportation system . Residential areas are therefore too far away from shops , restaurants , schools and places of work for people to walk or use bicycles . This leaves people with no choice but to use

cars and develop a car-dependent behavior . Several studies have revealed a connection between urban sprawl and the level of using cars . For example , in United States and Canada , people in low density sprawl areas not only use spend more time in cars but also drive longer distances They also own more cars and use public transport less times (Frumkin et al 2004 , Frank et al , 2000 . Urban sprawling makes car use the most convenient way for day to day travelling needs . This in turn pollutes the air through smog . Air pollution refers to the presence of harmful gases in the air we breathe . Smog has been linked to a number of human health problems , such as respiratory conditions such as asthma cardiovascular diseases , lung cancer , delayed lung development in children , pregnancy complications and birth defects

Air Pollution and its Ecological Effects

Air pollution causes damages to both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems The most affected terrestrial ecosystems are forests...

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