DRIVERS OF URBAN SPRAWL AND THEIR IMPLICATIONS FOR SUSTAINABLE URBAN DEVELOPMENT: A LITERATURE-BASED ANALYTICAL REVIEW

Abstract

Urban sprawl presents a critical challenge to global sustainability, transforming landscapes and altering the socio-economic and environmental fabric of modern cities. This paper investigates the primary drivers triggering urban sprawl and evaluates their broader implications for sustainable urban development. Utilizing a comprehensive spatial-temporal analytical framework alongside socio-economic indicators, the study identifies key catalysts behind dynamic urban expansion, including population growth, rapid economic development, land speculation, infrastructure development, and policy variations. The findings reveal that unmanaged sprawl significantly accelerates land degradation, intensifies resource consumption, increases carbon emissions, and deepens socio-spatial segregation within inner-city environments and peri-urban fringes. This research highlights the critical trade-offs between horizontal urban growth and environmental preservation. To mitigate these adverse impacts, the paper proposes an integrated planning model that incorporates scenario analysis, GIS-based spatial tracking, and collaborative governance strategies. Ultimately, this study offers actionable insights for urban planners and policy makers to foster compact, resilient, and environmentally sustainable urban growth strategies.