Unique Modern Living Styles – Gentrification – Urban Sprawl

Urban sprawl is the spreading of a city and its suburbs to rural land at the outskirt of an urban area. Urban sprawl forces people to become regular commuters; they have to drive long distances to get into down or to go to work. Residents of sprawling neighborhoods tend to produce more pollution per person and suffer more traffic problems. Another negative effect of this phenomenon is the endangering of nature and wilds lives. Roads have to be constructed to make transportation possible for the commuters. These new roads create water runoffs, which leads to pollution of the rivers and ocean. Land developers are willing to destroy any natural habitats to build homes to meet demand of new home owners. Many home owners do not know about the negative effects of urban sprawl, they are often focus on their individual needs and preferences.

Gentrification is the movement of upper and middle income white residents moving into older neighborhoods due to is architectural values.  This movement occurs to wealthy people who once thought that living in the suburban area was ideal; they have second thoughts about their dwelling place.  Life in the suburban is too quiet and boring for them; they need the excitements of the older neighborhood where there are historical values, good restaurants, and entertainment centers.  Although, some people may think that it is dangerous for a wealthy family to undergo gentrification because older cities often have negative urban issues. People who are involved in gentrification often like the companionships of other people in the city.  The busy life style in the city provides them with a sense of an exciting culture. Gentrification does not occur everywhere, it normally occurs in cities where investors are willing to poor money into making a new urban area.