Junior Cycle Geography CYCLONE 22.3 The Effects of Urban Change
1. Urban Sprawl Urban sprawl is the rapid spread of urban developments (such as houses and shopping centres) onto undeveloped rural land (greenfield sites) around a city.
Dublin experienced rapid urban sprawl during the ‘Celtic Tiger’ years 1995–2008. This was a time of great economic growth in Ireland. During this time, many people from rural areas and from abroad moved to Dublin in search of work and higher living standards. The resulting population growth led to greater demands for suburban housing and services. This in turn led to the outward spread of the city in the form of urban sprawl.
Urban sprawl has affected both Dublin’s inner city and its outer areas.
Hinterland = the area directly around a town or city
7. Expected urban sprawl in Dublin City and surrounds by 2040 Managing information and thinking
Examine figure 7. It shows the expected level of urban sprawl in Dublin by 2040. 1. How many counties have commuter towns for Dublin? 2. Name a large town in any three counties of your choice which you think might be a commuter town to Dublin.
Effects of Urban Sprawl
Valuable farmland, such as fertile land in North County Dublin, has been used up for building purposes.
Old villages such as Dundrum were swallowed up by urban growth. These villages lost their unique identities and became part of a large, impersonal city.
Some large suburbs are considered boring, ‘soulless’ places with relatively few recreational or social amenities. They are almost deserted by day, when many of their inhabitants are either commuting or at work.