Suburban sprawl can be defined as a pattern of suburban-metroplitian growth creating low-density, automobile-dependent, sectioned-off new development surrounding a deteriorating city. Some characteristics of suburban life include:

1. low-density housing and commercial development
2. reliance on private automobiles for transportation
3. segregation of types of land use
4. Race and class-based exclusionary housing and employment
5. congestion and environmental damage
6. a declining sense of community among area residents

Sprawl Fact Taken from an excerpt of Urban Sprawl: Causes, Consequences & Policy Responses, edited by Gregory D. Squires.

"Between 1950 and 1990, metropolitan areas expanded from 208,000 square miles housing 84 million people to 585,000 square miles housing 193 million. Population in these communities grew by 128 percent while the land area on which they resided grew 181 percent. Population density declined from 407 to 330 persons per square mile."

Afromerica Interpretation

In other words, the suburbs are getting larger while inner cities get smaller. More people move further out not because lifestyle has anything to do with it but it's becoming necessary in order to find a decent job. However, lifestyle in the suburbs is not what people think. Because there is virtually no public transportation there are more cars. And because businesses pay better in the suburbs more people can afford to own cars. Which also leads to better opportunity to own a home.

The fact that suburbs are automoble havens, many inner city residents lack the resources to commute to suburban areas for employment, and because most employers reside in the suburbs, this causes a deficientcy in growth opportunities for residents and a decline in urban economics. Without quality businesses and services, this leads to second rate establishments in the cities that drain it of any economic resources.

Urban Renewal Delusion is an article based on how second rate businesses take advantage of urban residences. Crowded with check-cashing joints, buy-here-pay-here car lots, rent-to-owns' and advance payment places, urban areas are further drained without proper consumer protection.

© 2003 by AfroStaff