This paper examines the environmental and health consequences of suburban sprawl. It provides a framework for understanding the link between land use planning, transportation, environmental degradation, and public health. The authors pay special attention to the underpinnings of race and class factors that shape sprawl-driven development, access to quality neighborhoods and residential amenities, and differential threats to vulnerable populations-including children, minorities, low-income households, and persons with respiratory illnesses. They discuss how Atlanta the "Sprawl Poster Child," faces major transportation, environmental, economic, social, and fiscal challenges, all complicated by growth-fueled urban sprawl. The paper examines how sprawl has aided in creating an economic and racial divide in metro Atlanta. Such a divide between the region's "have" and "have nots" threatens the health and economic vitality of the entire region. Recommendations are provided for Atlanta stakeholders to arrest the runaway sprawl pattern that typifies the Atlanta metropolitan region. The solution lies in working together across geographic, racial, class, and political party lines. Finally, the paper concludes that the future of the region is intricately bound to how government, business, and community leaders address Atlanta's quality of life and social equity issues. See www.ejrc.cau.edu
Learning Objectives: 1.Discuss the nature of suburban sprawl and its health, environmental, and equity impacts. 2.Assess government policies that buttress, support, and subsidize suburban sprawl.3. Articulate alternative smart growth strategies and their capability to address social equity.
Keywords: Air Quality, Asthma
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.