Write an essay, using appropriate examples, to explain

THREE causes and TWO consequences of suburbanization in more developed countries

(MDCs). [21 marks]

Suburbanization is the shift of a population from central urban areas into the suburbs

or city fringes, causing urban sprawl. Suburbanization causes the movement of households

and businesses out of the city centres, low-density and peripheral urban areas to grow. More

developed countries or MDC’s are countries that have a developed economy and advanced

technological infrastructure relative to other less industrialized nations. Suburbanisation can

be caused by push and pull factors, government policies and the development of

infrastructure. The consequences of suburbanisation are environmental degradation and

economic development.

Push factors are those that push people out of urban areas into suburban areas. Pull

factors are those that attract people. The main push factors of suburbanization are; weariness

of city life, the perception that urban areas are overpopulated, over-polluted, and attract

crime. Pull factors for suburbanization; more open spaces, the perception of being closer to

nature, lower suburban house prices and property taxes in comparison to cities. An example

of suburbanisation in an MDC is the United states. In the 1950’s , due to industrialization and

the development of central business districts, city areas in the United States became

overpopulated, housing was expensive and the cost of living was high while the suburbs

were open and had cheaper land and a lower cost of living. In addition to this many whites

didn’t want to interact with people of colour living in the urban areas. This caused the white

flight movement where a great influx of white persons migrated to the suburban areas that

were less racially diverse. Another cause of suburbanisation is the implementation of

government policies. An example of this is the G.I. Bill that allowed low-cost mortgages
available to returning soldiers from World War II making buying a house in the suburbs

cheaper than renting an apartment in the city. The Civil Rights Act, commonly known as the

Fair Housing Act of 1968, prohibited discrimination to be made of a potential buyer or

renter's sex, religion, race, national origin, and sex. This caused more POC to buy homes in

urban areas and many whites to migrate. Lastly, another cause of suburbanization, is the

development of infrastructure. The construction of the Interstate Highway System caused

another outflow of Caucasians. The convenient highway system that made commuting to

work and faraway shops more efficiently.

With suburbanization, there are many consequences, some include; environmental

degradation and the development of the economy. Environmental degradation is the

deterioration of the environment through depletion of resources such as air, water and soil;

the destruction of ecosystems; habitat destruction; the extinction of wildlife; and pollution.

An example of this is the 1950’s urban to suburban migration in the UK due to the collapse of

heavy industries. Habitats were cleared for infrastructure, disrupting many species that lived

there. large scale deforestation took place. In addition to this, the continual development of

the suburbs and areas of commute cause pollution from emissions and municipal waste.

Another consequence of suburbanisation is economic development. To cater for the large-

scale migration that took place in the UK, many gas stations, locally owned supermarkets and

new industry was developed. Also, investments in agriculture were made.

In conclusion, the causes off suburbanisation are; push and pull factors, government

policies and the development of infrastructure and the consequences are environmental

degradation and economic development.