Showing papers on "Urban ecosystem published in 1983"

The Economics of Urban Sprawl: Theory and Evidence on the Spatial Sizes of Cities

Abstract: Many commentators believe that the phenomenon of urban sprawl, which is characterized by vigorous spatial expansion of urban areas, is a symptom of an economic system gone awry. By transforming pastoral farmland into often-unattractive suburbs, sprawl is thought to disrupt a natural balance between urban and non-urban land uses, leading to a deplorable degradation of the landscape.' This sentiment is often translated into policy through zoning restrictions designed to inhibit the conversion of land from agricultural to urban use (see Bryant and Conklin (1975)). The economist's view of urban expansion stands in stark contrast to this emotionally-charged indictment of sprawl. Economists believe that urban spatial size is determined by an orderly market process which correctly allocates land between urban and agricultural uses. The model underlying this view, which was originally developed by Muth (1969) and Mills (1972) and more completely analyzed by Wheaton (1974), suggests that urban spatial size is determined in a straightforward way by a number of exogenous variables. By showing empirically that urban size is related to the given variables (population, income, agricultural rent, and commuting cost) in the manner predicted by the model, the present paper achieves two goals. First, the empirical results suggest that the economist's view of urban sprawl is justified: rather than being determined by a process which indiscriminately consumes agricultural land, urban sizes are the result of an orderly market equilibrium where competing claims to the land are appropriately balanced.2 Second, by confirming the urban size predictions of the underlying model, the empirical results constitute yet another piece of evidence validating the basic framework of urban economic analysis.3 The plan of the paper is as follows. Section II sketches the structure of the Muth-Mills model and presents the main comparative static results relevant to urban sprawl. With the model's predictions in focus, section III discusses the sample and the data, and section IV presents the empirical results. Section V offers conclusions.

Planning for urban forestry at the municipal level

Abstract: The goods and services produced by urban forests can benefit both urban and rural communities. But there is a need to incorporate urban forests as integral and formal components into municipal planning programmes. The case is presented to indicate that significant municipal savings could be possible in establishing urban forests. Such forests are for the needs of the community, and can provide food, shelter belts, enjoyment, products, and employment, especially with labour-intensive management. The establishment of an urban forest is discussed with particular reference to a ‘model’ urban forest in Moore Park, Sydney. Suggestions are offered for future municipal action in establishing urban forests.

Solar access and the urban forest

Abstract: (1983). SOLAR ACCESS AND THE URBAN FOREST. Arboricultural Journal: Vol. 7, No. 3, pp. 179-190.

Historical development and management of the urban environment

Abstract: (1983). Historical development and management of the urban environment. Landscape Research: Vol. 8, No. 3, pp. 28-29.

Changes in the economic base of urban areas: implications for urban public transportation

Abstract: This paper focuses on how future city development is likely to differ from past patterns, on the increasing importance of design in rebuilding older cities so that these cities become "livable" cities competitive with other "world class" cities, and on the potential role of transit as a design and development tool.