collocation · academic
urban sprawl
UK/ˈɜːbən sprɔːl/US/ˈɜrbən sprɔːl/UR·ban SPRAWL
the uncontrolled spreading of a city into surrounding areas, often low-density and car-dependent
Examples
“Urban sprawl has consumed large areas of farmland around the city.”
“Many planners argue that urban sprawl increases traffic and pollution.”
“Green belts are designed to limit urban sprawl and protect countryside.”
Band 8 sentence
“Policymakers should prioritise public transport and higher-density developments to prevent further urban sprawl and its environmental costs.”
Collocations
- rapid urban sprawl
- contain urban sprawl
- urban sprawl into the countryside
Word family
Common mistakes
city sprawl→urban sprawl
urbanisation→urban sprawl
Say it for a higher band
5city expansion→6urban expansion→7+urban sprawl
Synonyms
urban expansion
suburbanisation
Easily confused
urbanisation
“Rapid urbanisation has led to higher demand for housing in city centres.”
Related words
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In Hometown & Housing
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