Urban sprawl in North America and superblock in China are two typical urban forms with diametrically opposed density. However, when sprawl has been considered to be curbed, can supWerblock be a solution with its more compact urban form? This practicum is derived from this question and is focused on the research and design of shaping a good superblock. It is mainly driven by two research questions: how to use superblock model as a solution to curb urban sprawl and how to shape a good superblock neighbourhood from a landscape architecture perspective. There is a great opportunity to tackle such an inter-discipline topic from a landscape architecture dominated perspective, which could flexibly switch over context scales for this type of urban design. The topic would also be significant today due to an increased desire for ecological sustainability and cultural identity for neighbourhoods within the city.

Expansion of large metropolitan areas has rapidly increased at such a rate that development has begun to spill over original city boundaries. Almost every large city in the United States has accumulated smaller satellite cities on the periphery of the metropolitan area. These satellite cities house resources that exist because of their proximity to a larger urban core allowing them to harbor communities of people looking for inexpensive yet accessible housing close to a strong job market. The satellite city's location, stuck between a dense urban core and suburbia, lends itself to an identity that can be determined as neither urban or suburban. This confusing identity has resulted in high density urban infrastructure that is independent of an identifiable urban core, therefore spread out and sparse. As both the desire to live in major city centers and the cost of living in these city centers grows, satellite cities are becoming a destination where people within the city can escape huge expenses and suburban families can achieve urban living at an affordable cost. In turn, the future of satellite cities is a frontier to affordable urban living. One such city is Harrison, New Jersey; a city just a twenty-minute subway ride away from downtown Manhattan. This commuter city has become a bridge between the suburbs of New Jersey and Manhattan's central business district. Every day people drive into Harrison with the intent to switch to rail transportation into downtown Manhattan. Because of this role in daily commuting patterns and accessibility to resources from New York City, Harrison is growing at an extremely rapid rate with over 8,000 residential units proposed to be built in the next ten years1. This remarkable growth has resulted in cheaply built and loosely planned city infrastructure ignoring key factors in the city's expansion. Subsequentially, Harrison's city fabric has become victim to residential sprawl with many missing pieces, having failed to take advantage of the potential in the centrally located commuter city transit infrastructure. As developers continue to propose high profit residential housing scattered throughout the city, they fail to meet the demands of growing density, parking, and public amenities. The centrally located transit accommodations that exist allow Harrison to be a lucrative city with an identifiable city center that can provide housing communities to people looking for inexpensive yet accessible housing close to New York City. With these existing circumstances, there is possibility to improve Harrison's physical environment and its residents' quality of life by introducing a transit oriented development plan surrounding public transportation hubs located in the core of the city. Establishing a connection between existing parking structures, housing, and public amenities will create a satellite city typology that can adapt to the drastically changing habitation throughout a typical work day. As the push towards a new urbanization becomes more prevalent in our future, satellite cities like Harrison can be designed to adapt to growing numbers of urban residents and their transportation patterns and ultimately brand themselves with a new identity and role in sustainable urban futures. / 0 / SPK / specialcollections@tulane.edu

In the United States, the urban sprawl debate has closely paralleled urban growth trends over the past few decades. Many studies indicate that it is the pattern, density, and rate of new urban growth that create the appearance of sprawl. Population dynamics are often cited as a driving force behind urban sprawl. This thesis uses Geographic Information Systems (GIS) mapping and land cover change analysis, neighborhood statistics, community surveying, key-informant interviews with planners and developers, and planning documents to measure sprawl. The study area includes the jurisdictions that comprise the Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) of Richmond (The City of Richmond, Chesterfield County, Hanover County, and Henrico County). Urban land cover increased by one-fourth, from approximately 559 square kilometers to approximately 746 square kilometers from 1992 to 2001. Over the nine year time period, population within The City of Richmond decreased from 203,056 in 1990 to 197,790 in 2000, while Chesterfield, Henrico, and Hanover Counties increased in population from 1990 to 2001. Until the early part of the 20th century, cities in the United States experienced dramatic densification as industry set up shop in the city and workers flocked there in large numbers to claim jobs. As population grew and technology became more advanced, many people left rural farming areas to settle near industrialized urban core areas. This allowed the population to earn more money and with the introduction of cheap transportation in the form of the automobile, suburbanization began to take place. With more cars came the need for more roads. With more roads came more opportunities for people and employment to move away from the city into rural areas, thereby setting up communities which some refer to as sprawling developments. GIS maps suburbanization in the form of urban land cover, transportation networks, and population densities within and outside core urban areas over any given time period in order to assess trends in urban growth. This study analyzes urban land cover data as well as interviews with local developers and planning documentation to understand development trends in Richmond from 1992 to 2001. These dates reflect the availability of National Land Cover Data (NLCD), which I reclassified in the GIS to show only those classes that represent urbanized land. I then compared the two years to show the level of urban growth over the nine year time period. Next, I analyze patterns of urban expansion by using mapping capabilities within the GIS and neighborhood statistics in order to show the density and connectivity of patches of new growth. Based on the density and connectivity of new growth areas, I classify patterns as one of three types of sprawl: linear along highways, cluster, and leapfrog. My threshold densities are; 0 to 400 30 meter pixels per square kilometer for low density, 401 to 700 for medium density, and 701 to 1200 for high density. I also interviewed local developers and planners to gauge their opinions on the issue of urban sprawl versus urban growth. Developers do not see themselves as contributors to sprawl while planners see their roles as buffers between unfettered growth and market forces. The results indicate that the Richmond MSA did experience an increase in urban land from 1992 to 2001 and that urban growth in the study area can be classified as urban sprawl with the use of GIS mapping, neighborhood statistics, and analysis of jurisdictional planning documentation coupled with interviews with developers, land owners, and local planners. The density of new development is greatest in Henrico and Chesterfield, but the pattern and character with which development has occurred in Hanover is synonymous with sprawl. Sprawl is also facilitated by inexpensive land with available infrastructure (water, sewer lines). / Master of Science

Sustainable Built Environments Senior Capstone Project / The era of Urban Sprawl created a wave of single family residences moving farther and farther away from city centers. This also caused a series of unintended problems that affect our own health and the health of our natural environment. This paper seeks to find the most effective methods of implementing sustainable, mixed use development in our existing communities, as well as any mistakes that should be avoided in the process. This paper will examine successes and failures of previously implemented designs in order to inform and make recommendations for future designs and developments. The aim of this study is to identify factors that contribute to the success of a mixed use development and also encompass all aspects of sustainability.

The thesis consists of three essays on urban economies. The first essay investigates the relationship between proximity to larger markets and wage distribution within local labor markets. In this essay I derive a theoretical spatial skill demand equation that positively links skill premiums to market access. Using data from U.S. metropolitan areas, I provide evidence that while average wages are higher in metropolitan areas with higher market access, as suggested in the existing literature, the wage differential is unequally distributed across the metropolitan workers. That is, greater access to markets is linked to relatively weaker outcomes for those at the bottom of the wage distribution.<p> The second essay examines the extent of urban sprawl with respect to the volatility of local economies. Specifically, it investigates how uncertainty over future land rents explains changes in the extent of urban sprawl. To theoretically study this relationship, I develop a theoretical model that links sprawl to shocks to changes in land development rent, among other factors. The econometric analysis draws upon panel data from U.S. metropolitan areas over the 1980-2000 censuses. To measure urban sprawl, I construct a distinctive measure that better captures the distribution of population density within metropolitan areas. Using suitable proxy that accounts for uncertainty over future land rents, I provide robust evidence confirming the theoretical prediction. That is, metropolitan areas with higher levels of uncertainty have a lower level of sprawl.<p> Finally, the third essay uses theories from urban production economics to empirically investigate the relationship between the economic performance of U.S. metropolitan areas and their respective amounts of sprawl. Specifically, this essay provides a comprehensive empirical analysis on the impact of urban sprawl on labor productivity. The main finding suggests that higher levels of urban sprawl are negatively associated with average labor productivity. Interestingly, this negative association is even stronger in smaller metropolitan areas. Still, there is evidence that the significance of the negative impact of sprawl is not homogenous across major industries.

The thesis consists of three essays on urban economies. The first essay investigates the relationship between proximity to larger markets and wage distribution within local labor markets. In this essay I derive a theoretical spatial skill demand equation that positively links skill premiums to market access. Using data from U.S. metropolitan areas, I provide evidence that while average wages are higher in metropolitan areas with higher market access, as suggested in the existing literature, the wage differential is unequally distributed across the metropolitan workers. That is, greater access to markets is linked to relatively weaker outcomes for those at the bottom of the wage distribution.<p> The second essay examines the extent of urban sprawl with respect to the volatility of local economies. Specifically, it investigates how uncertainty over future land rents explains changes in the extent of urban sprawl. To theoretically study this relationship, I develop a theoretical model that links sprawl to shocks to changes in land development rent, among other factors. The econometric analysis draws upon panel data from U.S. metropolitan areas over the 1980-2000 censuses. To measure urban sprawl, I construct a distinctive measure that better captures the distribution of population density within metropolitan areas. Using suitable proxy that accounts for uncertainty over future land rents, I provide robust evidence confirming the theoretical prediction. That is, metropolitan areas with higher levels of uncertainty have a lower level of sprawl.<p> Finally, the third essay uses theories from urban production economics to empirically investigate the relationship between the economic performance of U.S. metropolitan areas and their respective amounts of sprawl. Specifically, this essay provides a comprehensive empirical analysis on the impact of urban sprawl on labor productivity. The main finding suggests that higher levels of urban sprawl are negatively associated with average labor productivity. Interestingly, this negative association is even stronger in smaller metropolitan areas. Still, there is evidence that the significance of the negative impact of sprawl is not homogenous across major industries.

This report reviews the cost of urban sprawl and shows the fiscal impact of smart growth. The report then focuses on the West Campus University Neighborhood Overlay (UNO) District in Austin, Texas, and it analyzes and estimates the fiscal impact on the City of Austin. Through fiscal impact analysis, it examines the contribution of the UNO District to the fiscal position of the City of Austin. As a result, this report gives the City of Austin fiscal reasons for redevelopment based on the smart growth scenario. This report begins with showing the cost of urban sprawl. Then, it reviews the history,principles, and policies of smart growth. The following section demonstrates the fiscal impact of smart growth. Lastly, the case of the West Campus area is examined by fiscal impact analysis. The result after the analysis shows the fiscal impacts on the City of Austin from both sides of budget, including expenditures and revenues. The revenues received from the residents of the area increased due to the sudden jump in property value, growth population, housing constructions, and mixed-use development. However, the costs also increased due to the needs for public services. / text

Urban sprawl is the uncontrolled and uncoordinated outgrowth of towns and cities. Noting the various studies, the pattern of urban sprawl is characterised by using spatial metrics based on the extent of paved surface or built-up areas. The process of urban sprawl can be described by change in pattern over time, like proportional increase in built-up surface to population leading to rapid urban spatial expansion. With an understanding of the patterns, processes and causes of urban sprawl, the consequences of sprawl can be explored which are reflected by the patterns, thus eventually aiding in the design of spatial planning support system. Following the sequence of patterns, process, causes and consequence, sets the research agenda as the framework for this research. The current research addresses the issue of urban sprawl in the context of Bangalore, India. We propose a theoretical framework to analyse the interaction of planning and governance on the extent of outgrowth and level of services. Reviewing the different indicator frameworks, we also propose urban sprawl indicators and operationalise the same for Bangalore. The indicators comprise spatial metrics (derived from temporal satellite remote sensing data) and other metrics obtained from a house-hold survey. The interaction of different indicators with respect to the core city and the outgrowth is determined by multidimensional scaling. The analyses reveal the underlying patterns -similarities (and dissimilarities) that relate with the different governance structures that prevail here. Subsequently, we attempt to understand the process of sprawl. This might help one to understand the dynamics that lead to such outgrowths. An attempt was made to capture the dynamics using systems approach and finally the insights gained were translated into agent-based land-use model. Noting the evolution of spatial planning support system (SPSS), the consequences of sprawl are explored. The SPSS developed on an agent-based modelling environment, is essentially a process-based land-use model. We highlight the need for an integrated SPSS, illustrating its development and evaluation. The policy analysis carried out using the SPSS offers insights into areas of concern. It is concluded by noting the drawbacks and challenges for future research for managing urban sprawl. In the present context, with the escalating problem of urban sprawl, the evolution of a SPSS in the form of the BangaloreSim model is the first step in this direction. The SPSS aids in undertaking policy analysis for certain policy measures and its consequences on urban land-use. The research concludes outlining the challenges in addressing urban sprawl while ensuring adequate level of services that planning and governance have to ensure towards achieving sustainable urbanisation.

Syftet med denna uppsats är att studera begreppen urban sprawl och Smart Growth utifrån ett hållbarhetsperspektiv, samt att undersöka vad dessa begrepp innebär för utvecklingen av den amerikanska stadsplaneringen också för de amerikanska städernas utformning. Urban sprawl innebär en utglesning av städer, något som i stor utsträckning har skett i USA sedan bilismens ökade framfart under 1950-talet. Smart Growth är ett ideal som förespråkar motsatsen till sprawl, det vill säga tätare städer där bilens roll blir mindre och mer utrymme ges åt gångare och cyklister. För idealet finns tio stycken principer som ska göra Smart Growth till verklighet. Utifrån dessa principer har jag - med hjälp av en kvalitativ textanalys - undersökt översiktsplaner från fem stycken amerikanska städer. Målet med analysen var att se i vilken utsträckning Smart Growth redovisades inom den amerikanska stadsplaneringen. Resultatet visade att principerna för Smart Growth presenterades i bred utsträckning i fyra av dem fem undersökta planerna. Detta för att det finns goda skäl att tro att den amerikanska stadsplaneringen kommer att sträva mot en tätare stadsbild. Trots detta är det inte säkert att urban sprawl kommer att försvinna. Slutsatsen är således att både urban sprawl och Smart Growth förmodligen kommer att karaktärisera den amerikanska stadsplaneringen under de kommande decennierna.

A process of suburbanization is currently a very much discussed topic. This phenomenon of population and human activities transfer from core cities to their background can have harmful effects not only on local inhabitants, but also on surrounding landscape and its function. Landscape ecology responds to this development by quantifying and evaluating its impact on landscape functions. This diploma thesis summarizes published results about effects of suburbanization on natural environment. The main objective of the thesis is selection of an appropriate indicator(s) (landscapes metrics) to evaluate rate and intensity of this process. These metrics are applied in the study area and the results are discussed. Key words: suburbanization, urban sprawl, landscape metrics