Research: Sprawl Linked to Poverty

New research from the University of Utah reveals that sprawl can have a measurable, negative economic impact on low-income American households.

According to a piece in Science Blog, “A series of studies from the University of Utah has found that children from low-income families who grow up in areas characterized by urban sprawl face significantly reduced earning potential compared to those raised in denser neighborhoods. The research provides the most detailed evidence yet of how city planning decisions could be reinforcing cycles of poverty across generations.”

The researchers used data from more than 71,000 U.S. census tracts, defining sprawl as “urban environments with poor pedestrian access, heavy car dependency, and sharp separation between residential, commercial and business areas.” According to the study, the annual expected income of a person growing up in a very low sprawl tract is, on average, roughly 10 percent higher than that of people brought up in high-sprawl neighborhoods.

Perhaps most striking is how sprawl affects families differently based on income level. While children from low-income families see reduced earning potential in sprawling areas, the opposite appears true for wealthy families.

The researchers note that while their study does link sprawl and lowered social and economic mobility, the causation is not entirely clear. However, “local city planners and officials need to consider the broader social implications and choose zoning patterns and regulations that are best for all residents, particularly trying to reduce sprawl and increase infill development may have a long-lasting positive impact on children’s economic possibilities.”