Is Urban Sprawl A Health Risk?

Experts are blaming sprawl for causing stress, childhood asthma, and obesity. Several studies investigate the relationship between sprawl and public health.

1 minute read

February 2, 2001, 8:00 AM PST

By Abhijeet Chavan @http://twitter.com/legalaidtech

"We are coming to the conclusion that land use, urban design andthe built environment are much larger factors in public health thanpeople have really appreciated...The suburban model is defined by highly segregated land uses: Homes are built on curvy, dead-end streets that feed into high-volume roadways leading to separate retail areas, typically malls fronted by parking. Walking is not only unpleasant, it's often dangerous....If a link between neighborhood characteristics and obesity is found, the research could be used to prod policymakers to encourage healthy neighborhood design."

Thanks to Abhijeet Chavan

FULL STORY: Life in the 'burbs: Lack of good walking sites can weigh heavily

Tuesday, January 30, 2001 in The Seattle Times

Land Use United States

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