What factors have contributed to urban sprawl in Sydney (Australia)?
What’s behind Sydney’s urban sprawl? By Chris Spindler SYDNEY — The continued expansion of Sydney’s outer suburbs has led to a discussion about urban sprawl and the resulting inequities and deteriorating quality of life for the lower income residents. Recent studies have shown that 90% of new housing up to 2021 is destined for Sydney’s outer fringes — areas already lacking in basic services such as water, sewerage, transport, schools and hospitals. The “outer ring” of suburbs is expected to grow at twice the rate of the “inner ring”. The outer ring is inhabited overwhelmingly by middle or lower income families and people. The head of the Australian National University’s Urban Research Program, Patrick Troy, warns: “The urban consolidation program [a state government program emphasising inner city condensed living] and the Commonwealth housing policies have accentuated the divide between the haves and the have-nots”. One of the clearest examples of governments favouring private investme
