Directions: The suggested time for answering this question is about 22 minutes. Where calculations are required, clearly show how you arrived at your answer. Where explanation or discussion is required, support your answers with relevant information and/or specific examples.

The term “urban sprawl” describes the expansion of cities into rural areas. This phenomenon has occurred around the world and has had economic, health, and environmental consequences.

Describe TWO causes of urban sprawl.

Discuss TWO human health effects associated with urban sprawl.

The graph below shows the relationship between population density and petroleum use in selected cities.

Describe the relationship between population density and petroleum use shown in the graph.


A graph is shown of petroleum use. The y-axis is relative annual per capita petroleum use with no numbers on the axis. The x-axis is density in persons per hectare, which goes from 0 to 300 in increments of 50. A curve is drawn starting at the top of the y-axis and is decreasing and concave up with increasing density. The curve appears to asymptote along the x-axis and is relatively flat by about 200 persons per hectare. There are points that lie close to the curve indicating where particular cities fall. The first four cities at the top of the curve, which are both below 50 persons per hectare, are Houston, Los Angeles, Washington, and New York. Below New York a horizontal line is drawn indicating that the cities about this line are in the United States. Below this line but above the next horizontal line are Melbourne, Sydney, and Toronto, all around 50 persons per hectare. The cities between these horizontal lines are indicated to be in Australia and Canada. Below the second line but above the third line are Paris, London, and Vienna, from about 75 to 150 persons per hectare. The cities between these lines are indicated to be in Europe. Below the third horizontal line but above the x-axis are Tokyo, Moscow, and Hong Kong from about 150 to 275 persons per hectare, and the cities in this area are from East Asia and Russia.


Smart growth focuses on ways to encourage sustainable urban development. Describe TWO steps a municipality could take to encourage smart growth in order to limit urban sprawl.

Highway systems and urban sprawl often threaten wildlife populations. Describe TWO methods to reduce harmful effects on wildlife populations from highways and urban sprawl.

Urban sprawl often results in the loss of productive agricultural land near cities. Describe one practical way to increase food production within urban areas.