Assessing the Negative Effects of Suburbanization: The Urban Sprawl Restrictiveness Index in Romania’s Metropolitan Areas

Radu-Matei Cocheci () and Alexandru-Ionut Petrisor
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Radu-Matei Cocheci: Department of Urban Planning and Territorial Development, Ion Mincu University of Architecture and Urbanism, 10014 Bucharest, Romania
Alexandru-Ionut Petrisor: Doctoral School of Urban Planning, Ion Mincu University of Architecture and Urbanism, 10014 Bucharest, Romania

Land, 2023, vol. 12, issue 5, 1-20

Abstract: Urban sprawl is widely considered to be a major issue for the functioning of urban areas, threatening long-term sustainability and affecting the quality of living. The aim of this research is to develop a methodology for assessing the negative effects of uncontrolled suburbanization in metropolitan areas through a multicriterial approach. Based on the existing body of knowledge, we have defined a set of indicators for assessing the impact of suburbanization, covering themes such as land use, water, biodiversity and economy or social issues. A questionnaire was applied to experts in the field in order to find out the final set of indicators and their perceived importance. The product of our research is an urban sprawl restrictiveness index at the local level, tested on five of the most dynamic metropolitan areas in Romania. The results highlight the concentration of negative effects of urban sprawl in the areas most accessible from the city core, where additional in-depth analyses were performed for validation. This study thus proposes a novel method for assessing the negative impacts of urban sprawl. The index could be used in other comparative studies at the national or international level while also aiding policymakers in better managing metropolitan areas.

Keywords: suburbanization; urban sprawl; metropolitan planning; spatial analysis; land cover and use changes; Central and Eastern Europe (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

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