Roadmap for Answer Writing

Introduction

• Define urban sprawl: Urban sprawl refers to the uncontrolled, low-density, and often unplanned expansion of urban areas into rural surroundings.
• Briefly state that urban sprawl has become a pressing issue in Indian cities due to rapid urbanization and population growth.
• Mention that the impacts of urban sprawl are significant both socio-economically and environmentally.

1. Socio-Economic Impact:

1. Displacement and Marginalization:
   • Explain how urban sprawl often leads to gentrification, pushing economically disadvantaged sections into peripheral slums.
   • Example: Expansion of Delhi led to the creation of the Bhalswa slum, highlighting socio-economic disparities .
2. Public Health Issues:
   • Mention the poor sanitation conditions in sprawling areas and how this affects public health.
   • Example: Slums formed on the fringes of cities face challenges such as inadequate access to clean water, waste management, and healthcare.
3. Transportation Costs:
   • Urban sprawl leads to increased traffic congestion, higher fuel consumption, and longer commute times.
   • Example: Bengaluru loses ₹19,725 crores annually due to traffic congestion and related inefficiencies.
4. Loss of Agricultural Land:
   • Urban sprawl consumes fertile agricultural land, affecting food security and livelihoods.
   • Example: In Chennai, agricultural land decreased from 42.2% in 1988 to 19.2% in 2017.

2. Environmental Impact

1. Depletion of Green Spaces:
   • Urban sprawl leads to the reduction of green spaces that are vital for carbon absorption and maintaining environmental balance.
   • Example: Almost 70% of global greenhouse gas emissions come from urban built environments.
2. Waste Overload:
   • The rapid growth of cities results in an overwhelming amount of waste that the current waste management systems cannot handle effectively.
   • Example: Ghazipur landfill in Delhi, a result of inadequate waste management, continues to grow as the city’s population expands.
3. Urban Heat Island Effect:
   • The construction of concrete structures, roads, and buildings contributes to the urban heat island effect, making cities significantly hotter than their surrounding areas.
   • Example: Cities like Mumbai and Delhi are experiencing rising temperatures due to urban sprawl.
4. Water Stress:
   • Urban sprawl strains water resources, exacerbating water scarcity issues due to inefficient water management.
   • Example: According to the World Wide Fund for Nature, cities like Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Delhi face significant water risks due to mismanagement and over-extraction.
5. Vulnerability to Disasters:
   • Unplanned urban expansion leads to encroachment in environmentally sensitive areas, disrupting natural drainage systems and increasing vulnerability to natural disasters like floods.
   • Example: Cities like Chennai, Bengaluru, and Mumbai face recurring flooding due to poor urban planning.

3. Conclusion

• Summarize the socio-economic and environmental consequences of urban sprawl.
• Stress the need for sustainable urban planning and better management of resources to mitigate the negative impacts.
• Mention that India’s future urban growth must be approached with careful consideration of both economic and environmental factors to create more livable and resilient cities.

Relevant Facts

1. Displacement and Marginalization:
   • Expansion of Delhi led to Bhalswa slum formation, increasing socio-economic disparity.
2. Public Health Issues:
   • Poor sanitation in urban sprawls leads to public health risks.
3. Transportation Costs:
   • Bengaluru loses ₹19,725 crores annually due to traffic congestion.
4. Loss of Agricultural Land:
   • Chennai’s agricultural land decreased from 42.2% in 1988 to 19.2% in 2017.
5. Depletion of Green Spaces:
   • 70% of global GHG emissions are generated from urban environments.
6. Waste Overload:
   • Ghazipur landfill in Delhi is an example of inadequate waste management.
7. Urban Heat Island Effect:
   • Rising temperatures due to urban sprawl in cities like Mumbai and Delhi.
8. Water Stress:
   • Indian cities like Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Delhi face significant water risks.
9. Vulnerability to Disasters:
   • Chennai, Mumbai, Bengaluru face recurrent flooding due to poor urban planning.

By following this roadmap, you can develop a structured and insightful answer to the question, incorporating key facts and examples to support your argument.