urban sprawl

noun
UK: /ˈɜːbən sprɔːl/
US: /ˈɜːrbən sprɔːl/

  1. The uncontrolled expansion of urban areas.

    1. Urban sprawl makes getting to the city harder.
    2. The development project aims to combat urban sprawl by creating walkable neighborhoods.

  2. The process in which cities grow outwards in an unplanned and unsustainable way, often leading to increased car dependence and environmental damage.

    1. Urban sprawl created miles of identical houses.
    2. Fighting against urban sprawl requires smarter planning and investment in public transit.

Synonyms

suburban sprawl
urban sprawl intransitive-verb

  1. To spread out into the surrounding countryside in an uncontrolled and unplanned way.

    1. The city tends to urban sprawl towards west.
    2. Without zoning laws, cities may urban sprawl excessively into farmland.

Frequently Asked Questions

The word "urban sprawl" in English means: The uncontrolled expansion of urban areas., The process in which cities grow outwards in an unplanned and unsustainable way, often leading to increased car dependence and environmental damage..

The phonetic transcription of "urban sprawl" is /ˈɜːbən sprɔːl/ in British English and /ˈɜːrbən sprɔːl/ in American English. Click the 🔊 button to hear both pronunciations.

Synonyms for "urban sprawl": suburban sprawl.

Example usage of "urban sprawl": "Urban sprawl makes getting to the city harder.". More examples on the page.