URBAN SPRAWLBOB TACKETTThe definition of urban sprawl according to WORDSMYTH 1. spreading of the urban structure into adjoining suburbs and rural areas. The definition of urban sprawl according to Merriam-Websters on line dictionary:the spreading of urban developments(as houses and shopping centers) on undeveloped land near a city. The definition of urban sprawl according to Dictionary.
com The unplanned, uncontrolled spreading of urban development into areas adjoining the edge of a city . My opinion of urban sprawl. The city,containing large tracts of business,commerece,industries,living space,and farming communities. Using more then it needs,replicating new structures and leaving shells. Rehabbing mass living spaces,for the placment of person or persons. Funneling dollars into work projects for the sake of spending.
For example I 675 near Dayton, the rehabbing of the Arcade center, and the Salem Mall area. . Sprawl is a four letter wordI like living next to the city. I can get off my tractor, walk across the street and get a cup of coffee at the UDF in the morning, go next door for lunch at the fast food place, and fill up the John Deere at the Speedway on the way home from plowing the back 40. Sprawl is a worldwide growth pattern.
It is evident in every small to major city, and depending on socioeconomic and cultural patterns can manifest it at different rates. Lets take a look at some examples. Moscow shows a grossly mixed area of farmland, light to heavy industry, and a mixed commerce living space with large groups of apartment buildings. Approximately 30% of the city proper is vacant wasted areas, and there is no effort to reclaim any of this land. This is most likely due to heavy pollution, crime, and the generally poor economical situation. In Mexico City, there is a vast area of poor living conditions within poorer living conditions.
Population increase has played a major role in the living conditions along with little employment, poor education, almost no industry, (with the exception of General Motors relocating there) makes Mexico City a vast sprawl of humanity. My focus now moves to the local venue, namely Dayton. I found some interesting information. Between 1970 and 1990 Daytons urban area lost 11% of its population while gaining 22% more land.
Dayton and adjoining suburbs consumed 118% more land while adding only 22% more people. While there was no significant population increase, drivers in Dayton covered 19% more miles in 1995 then in 1991. There are many reams of facts and figures to support the obvious, sprawl is real. For an informed opinion, I will interview Anita Patten.
She is the director and founder of CHOICES, Inc. She received her Masters of Public Administration this summer. I feel she is very well informed, and passionate about the community. . My first question to you is what does urban sprawl mean to you in general?It is the migration of people from the inner city, to the out lying areas built at the expense of existing properties, in creating a suburb, that no longer meets the peoples needs of community. OK, tell me what you think are some of the factors that contribute to sprawl? Well there is inner city abandonment, running away from crime, poor housing cramped spaces.
It is difficult to grow between buildings, so you go to more space. There is also farmland it more profitable to sell their land, then to farm it. As a matter of fact my development sits between two corn fields. Is there anything else?Yes the was the post WWII desire to live the American dream. . How so? There is better highways easy to obtain autos, plus prosperity that allowed home ownership, namely VA loans.
I know from citizen poles,that public services rank very high, how do you feel about your public services? Because of our distance from the inner city, response times are a concern, but I do feel safe do to the number of satiety personnel who also live here and I feel more connected to Huber Heights then to Dayton. I do most of my shopping, socializing and recreation in Huber Heights. Well hers one for you, did you know that if you call 911 Huber Heights would respond first? Oh they do! Well that makes me feel a lot better. How about this, is urban sprawl a bad thing? No not really, while it has contributed to a declining core city, people make there own choices. When the inner city can offer more options, they will see revitalization. What can revitalize Dayton? Defiantly more regional oversight will help.
In particular land use and economic development. The enactment of better zoning laws to protect green spaces, and rehabbing business and homes. The reestablishment of neighborhood schools and the redefining of civic life. Can you elaborate on civic life.
The making of work,shoping,school,social,and recreation with in walking distance. How about summing it all up. I will put it simply as growth in it self is not bad, unmanaged growth is irresponsible. Thank you for your time.
Growth in it self is not bad, unmanaged growth isirresponsible That statement summed up very nicely what is one of the factors that contribute to sprawl. It is obvious that growth has to occur for cities to survive. There is however some steps that Dayton has taken to manage uncontrolled expansionism. A reasons of sort has been taking shape for some time, for example, the new Dragons baseball stadium, the new art center, the Salem aver project, and the Wright Dunbar project. However, is there enough being done to control, or at least contain the wasting of space? Lets talk about the special interest groups, and there impact both for the Dayton citizen and the city politic. First I would like to identify a few of the special interest groups who are major players.
The group or groups as you will, are the priority boards. They carry considerable clout when dealing with city issues. Five Rivers Metro Parks, A politically power house dealing in the preservation of natural environments. The local building contractors, they have influence over large amounts of land both undeveloped and developed. The city manager, and the commission, this group constantly struggle to do the best they can, for them as well as the community.
Finally the downtown business accociation, they are constantly battling to lure business to the city center. Influentual, you bet! Each and every one of these groups makes Dayton what it is. For years they have shaped, changed, and evolved our community and our neighbors. .
