Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Consequences of Exurban Sprawl

The last couple of days have been harrowing for the people who live in "tornado alley." Probably the most powerful and damaging tornado in history demolished parts of the town of Moore, Oklahoma this week. So many people were killed, including many children who were stuck in schools at the end of the day. There was nowhere to find safety. There were no storm shelters at the schools or elsewhere. Structures in that part of the country are built without basements, partly to save on construction costs. The immense destructive power of storm was overwhelming. The vortex of destruction was enormous.

Until quite recently the terrain where this disaster occurred was an agricultural landscape. Urban sprawl, or if you will, ex- urban sprawl had placed tens of thousands of unfortunate people in the path of destruction. Did they have to live there? Isn't building in the path of killer tornadoes something like building on a sand dune, or a river bottom or the side of a volcano?

I often wonder why we find ourselves in the places where we end up. My moves across this country from Chicago to Iowa to Alaska to San Francisco and finally to Boston were dictated by education, love, and work. Too bad for me I have chosen the most expensive places to live for most of my adult life. This is not necessarily because I have the means to live in San Francisco or Boston. But these places seem like the only reasonable choice. I am a seriously underpaid professor, not rich by any standards considering my level of education, but relatively wealthy compared to many Americans. My guess is that people move to the exurbs for more living space with less of a price tag. We threw out our car several years ago because we can walk pretty much every place we need to go. I know that the people in Moore, Oklahoma have to drive. I know that gas is not cheap anywhere. So maybe what I pay for rent and public transportation and urban crowding is somewhat offset by the expenses people face out there to drive their vehicles.



Is it a question of economics alone? I tend to doubt it. Part of the "American dream" is the pursuit of a lifestyle that you feel comfortable adopting. I might not feel any more comfortable in Moore than those people would feel in Cambridge. But I don't know. Recently, I've been thinking about moving to a warmer climate. Maybe someplace not as prone to rising sea levels as where we live here in Boston. Believe it or not Texas has been high on my list. But wherever I move, I won't choose to live in sprawl. I prefer to have less rather than more dependence on the vehicle. I prefer to live in a more diverse community. And wherever I live, though the museums and libraries may not match Boston, I want to be close to some cultural amenities.


Why this riff on culture? Isn't the most important thing to have a roof over your head? I guess some of my thoughts about sprawl really coalesced after this latest tragedy. As we build communities in far-flung regions at great distances from urban areas, we put ourselves increasingly in the path of destructive storms like a tornado that hit Moore, Oklahoma. It's a known fact that dense urban buildings disrupt the atmospheric flow dynamics that breed tornadoes. Urban heat islands, for better or for worse, also change the heat exchange conditions that bring about tornado activity. But a few subdivisions out on the flat prairie do nothing to block storm dynamics. Like a house on a sand dune, they are right in the line of fire.




As we mourn the dead, comfort the injured, and rebuild communities like Moore, perhaps we should ask the same kinds of questions that followed Hurricane Sandy. Should we continue to build in these high-risk zones? Should we continue to fund private and federal insurance for these places? What are the real but hidden costs of building in places like Moore, in terms of loss of farmland, dependence on fossil fuels, and greenhouse gas emissions? And what are the social costs? Living out in the sprawling exurbs we choke public transportation and other infrastructure amenities that come with denser lifestyles. We "escape" diversity. And we weaken the society as a whole while finding "freedom" in the great but dangerous exurb utopia.



47 comments:

  1. This relates to #3 because it is saying that each region has it's own succession of events that takes place over time. In cities like Moore, Oklahoma, we can see this process of lifecycle changes like birth, development, senescence, and death taking place due to a change in the city (tornado).

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  2. This post corresponds to urban ecological frameworks #s 1,2, and 4. You discuss the rising sea levels in Boston as a factor in your potential move elsewhere, the ability of tall urban buildings to prevent the occurrence of tornadoes, and the unique culture of Boston (museums and libraries) as part of urban ecology.

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  3. I personally do not think we should continue to build in such high risk environments because it is only putting peoples lives in dangers not to mention all the building and rebuilding that is constantly taking place. It is also better for the environment if we do not continue to expand cities into these certain areas of land.

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  4. This blog highlights on the fifth framework of urban ecology. It describes how resilient nature is in addition to how life cycles effect an environment. A plant's existence is determined by it's environment in the same way that the environment is defined by the plants that are in it.

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  5. This article was great, considering your questions at the end it is ultimately someones decision on where they live. Also, disasters can happen anywhere at anytime whether it be a tornado, snow storm, or volcanic eruption. In the end people should not stop building in "dangerous" areas, if people do stop building in these places it may cause over population in other places.

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  6. This post relates to the point discussing change in an environment overtime. Cities will have to face natural situations that can disrupt the framework of the city. In order to prepare ourselves to respond to these situations, individuals will need to take the past into consideration and look to where the future of the city is headed.

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  7. This post relates to frameworks #1,2,and 4. You discuss the environment of Moore, Oklahoma and how tornadoes are frequent to the city. This disrupts most of the town and unfortunately kills residents. You also discuss how Boston has human ecologically developed to fit its large population with transportation, etc.

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  8. This article is most closely related to point number three. It discusses time related ecological phenomena such as tornados, the build up of a city, and the destruction of a city. This article discusses the natural life-cycle of Moore, Oklahoma caused by the tornado.

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  9. This post relates to #5 that states that cities are very complex. You discuss the question of why people pick certain places to live. It is the different complexities of these cities that appeal to each individual person.

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  10. This post addresses the contrast between urban environments and exburbs that are the product of sprawl. Cities are complex and include infrastructural amenities like public transportation, and cultural privileges like museums and libraries. These "luxuries" are a product of the "building-up" that results from the development of human ecologies. Exburbs are less fortunate as they are not known for complex, but helpful, public transportation routes, or as the centers of culture. They are also built, as mentioned in the post, in areas that are more vulnerable to natural disaster. This makes me think about communities and their relationship to ecological phenomena in nature. Just as a virus can easily wipe out a species, an exburb can be wiped out by a natural disaster just as Moore, Oklahoma was by the tornado.

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  11. This post relates to the discussion of how cities are complex & diverse (having cultural amenities), how they change over time, and how they are subject to the same risks as natural systems (tornados or earthquakes). I think it is definitely interesting to look into the reasons why people choose to live in places despite the dangers associated with that place.

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  12. This article connects to point 2 which discusses urban ecology. The connection is somewhat of a stretch because these "exurbs" as they are describes above are not a part of an urban environment but nonetheless still a community with its own ecological patterns. I think that one should consider the risks of living in an environment that is very prone to tornadoes. Especially if it is not an urban environment, I think it can be harder to get help the further one is from the services that a city could offer in a time of crisis. I completely understand your riff on culture and very much agree. Living in urban environments my whole life, I would feel isolated living in a place that does not have the amenities of a city, especially during natural disasters.

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  13. This article echoes the 5th level of Ecology: Response to change and catastrophe. I found your point regarding putting ourselves (knowingly) in the path of destructive events (such as severe storms or tornados), and increasing the chances of them by our own urbanization quite alarming. Living in and building high risk zones only furthers the possibility of catastrophe and astronomically high social and economic relief costs.

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  14. It's not always easy for different ecologies to coexist, and this serves as am example. In order to build a city you need to start somewhere. In this case, the cities and neighborhoods or human ecology was ruined due to the environment.

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  15. This post relates to the third urban ecology framework. Like this frameworks states, the city of Moore experienced "time-related ecological phenomena that are analogous to ecological phenomena in nature", which is this case was a tornado.

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  16. This post resonates most with the 3rd way of thinking about urban ecology. Cities and suburbs are equally affected by natural phenomena, including disasters such as the tornado in Moore. The ecological patterns habitants face influence what kinds of industries we choose to develop, fund, and put focus towards in response. Economic development in affluent, relatively safe, and booming cities is only increasing due to its low risk of failure. This trend makes development in places such as Moore, more difficult and less attractive. This continuous cycle promotes the argument of why people choose to live in and why federal institutions only aid certain places.

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  17. This post relates to the third point in which "cities experience time-related ecological phenomena" such as a hurricane that has the chance to ruin an entire city. Like we discussed with the right tidal pressure and a type two hurricane Boston's Back Bay could be entirely eliminated which would affect the city tremendously. We need to look into innovation that can help protect from time-related ecological phenomena.

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  18. This post corresponds to the ecological framework #4 because it shows how human ecologies develop economies of scale, transportation, centers of production, learning, and commerce that are unique to their own perspective places which can have disadvantages or places like Moore Oklahoma. There should be a more conscious effort to build houses and shelters that can withhold these natural causes.

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  19. Isabel Vera

    The second approach to urban ecology is important in this article in that it discusses the large impact cities have within and outside of its borders. The fact that cities prevent the looming and destruction of tornados with the presence of urban buildings and the urban heat island principle preventing tornado conditions sheds light on the influence cities have inside their borders.

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  20. Natural ecological phenomena are bound to occur in any environment, and when they happen in a populated area such as a city, it makes us realize that we live in a world with dangerous weather, natural cycles, and other risks. Birth and death occur simultaneously, and the latter is beyond our control. The third idea you proposed connects well with this blog.

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  21. This post corresponds to the third point that says how cities are susceptible to and experience ecological phenomena such as hurricanes, tornados and earthquakes and how these natural events can greatly affect/damage cities and their populations.

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  22. Just like nature, a city composed of humans and their effects on society can play a role in phenomena described in point 3. These catastrophes are caused by humans in their attempts to develop and build neighborhoods and travel for example can result in destruction and death. Every move a individual makes in society may contribute to a phenomena just like any part in a plant plays a role in the plant's life itself.

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  23. This post relates to the fourth point because you have adapted to the city. Boston is a city which thrives on its successful economy and more importantly the many educational institutions. It creates a place in which everything is easy to get to by walking or biking, and no other transportation device is necessarily needed if you live in the part o the city you most likely spend your days in.

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  24. This article relates with the fourth point which deals with the complexity of ecological systems. Oklahoma is a state where people have to adapt to their environment. It is a shame that the city was unable to put in the necessary support systems in place. This is a good example of when nature trumps our city's ecology.

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  25. The post relates closely to point 3. The 3rd point describes the life-cycle of a city and the reason for it being built. In Moore, Oklahoma people were attracted by the cheaper cost of living, but eventually had ruins of a town. Because of Moore's location, the city's life cycle was brought to an abrupt stop that may or may not recover.

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  26. I believe that this article is mainly relevant to point 3. The question of how people end up living where they do is part of a more modern natural phenomena that relates to peoples lives, jobs, educations, family and even health. These factors all influence each other, and therefore each individuals life. Another natural phenomena mentioned in this article is weather, which is also influences not only an individuals life but a city's ecology as well.

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  27. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  28. This post relates to framework number 2, but kind of in the opposite way. Instead of what the impact that humans have on the environment we are considering the way the environment or nature impacts humans and human made environments in terms of natural phenomena like tornadoes. This also relates to framework number 5 because it mentions how natural phenomena can not only have an impact on nature, but also on urban, manmade places and things.

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  29. This article can relate to post #2 because it touches upon the fact that certain urban infrastructures can change the climate; for example the tornado winds in Moore, Oklahoma. It can also relate to point #3 because it demonstrates how cities have "life cycles" that can be changed by weather.

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  30. As stated in the post, the man-made changes that take place in an environment affect aspects of it such as the climate in a more urban area. However, this post also relates to the fourth point of human ecologies and the way an environment such as one prone to natural disaster, or one with more diversity of ideas may affect immigration to or from the city or the type of buildings and resources set up.

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  31. I found that this post relates primarily to your second point because it discusses how built environments can affect ecological patterns. While many towns and cities in the midwest are accustomed and somewhat prepared for natural disasters such as tornadoes, they still cause costly destruction. I am from a city in Western Massachusetts, which is by no means prepared for tornadoes, however, we still experienced the destruction of three tornadoes in 2011. As discussed in your second point, built environments also affect the ecological patterns of that area.

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  32. This post relates a lot to frameworks #2 and #5. As pointed out in the post above, natural disasters can have a profound affect on land and people's living conditions. While people living along the east coast might not experience tornadoes like the ones in OK, hurricanes are a common phenomena for the east coast. It is not possible to prevent natural disasters such as these, so humans must develop means to protect themselves and accept the things that come along with living in certain environments.

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  33. I don't think houses and communities should be built in high-risk areas especially if the risks or natural disasters are more likely to occur. Also, I believe some people prefer driving as opposed to public transportation (even though it may cost more). Finally, I think the American Dream is an important idea because it incentivizes individuals.

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  34. This article relates to post #2 because it talks about how urban cities are built and how they can have an affect on ecological patterns in and around the city. Boston is built in a very tight and compact way which disrupt the atmospheric flow of tornados, while Moore, Oklahoma has no way of being protected from massive tornadoes. It is amazing to think that the way a city is built can have such an affect on the area in and around it.

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  35. This post is related to framework #3. Natural phenomena such as tornadoes and hurricanes definitely have a huge effect on the city or town they hit. Life cycle changes, such as death, are accumulated by these phenomena. The whole make up of a city or an ecology can be changed because of them, just look at New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. The post also relates to framework #2, where cities from their own ecologies under the considerations of things like weather and climate. Whole cities can change a climate or be changed by a climate. Humans have come up with numerous forms of shelter to protect themselves from these phenomena in which otherwise they cannot control.

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  36. This article relates to the second framework because it deals with weather conditions that cities like Moore have become victim too. But considering what is stated in the third framework we see how it relates to Moore because the residents continue to build up the city after devastations like tornadoes instead of moving elsewhere because they are prepared for such catastrophes.

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  37. This post definitely relates to the 5th framework of urban ecology. As the population grows, urban sprawl inevitably occurs, and sometimes the urban sprawls are built in places that are prone to the destructive forces of nature. After looking at the pictures of the suburban neighborhood clusters posted above, I thought to myself "I would never live in that type of environment". For some reason, it just looks so "artificial" to me. Its probably near the city, but "surburbia" looks like a place without much diversity. Like you, I need to live somewhere where "culture" exists.

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  38. Framework number two can relate to this post because it deals with different cities having different environments. Cities such as Boston and Moore use their land differently and have different weather patterns that affect the environment.

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  39. This post addresses topics 2 and 4. It is clear from your statement regarding how tornados form, that the Urban ecology does indeed effects other places outside our boarders. It also hits upon the human ecology and how it differs with a small town in Oklahoma. The car example was a great way to visually see the differences of environment and how a car is an inconvenience and expense to one and a necessity to others.

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  40. The tornado mentioned in this article can be drawn to the "effects on ecological and climatic patterns within and beyond urban borders." Exurban environments are effected due to atmospheric changed caused by the aspects of urbanity. "Dense urban buildings disrupt the atmospheric flow dynamics that breed tornadoes." Therefore, environmental patterns have shifted beyond urban borders due to urban modernization.

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  41. It's interesting to me to read posts about such topics. Coming from Los Angeles, I always wonder these things myself. Although my family lives there because of the beautiful weather all year long, (we run cold blooded and our body temperatures tend to run at about 96 degrees) it is terribly expensive and vehicle usage is a necessity. Gas is way more expensive than it is on the east coast because they can and we sit in traffic for at least thirty minutes no matter where we are going. Are places such as Los Angeles where these unreasonable expectations are prevalent going to cease to exist one day?

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  42. This post relates most closely to number 2 and 4. Tornados affect places outside of its borders, just like when it hit Moore, Oklahoma. Also, like in number 4, the examples given (art, culture, car) are great ways of explaining how urban ecology can differ from region to region. I never really understood it in that exact manner but it brings to light a lot of differences for me between Phoenix (my first home) and Boston (my second home).

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  43. This post is most similar to that of framework #3 of ecology. This is because the article discusses where many people choose to live relative to the natural phenomena that may occur in that location. The culture and ideas of the people living in a particular community are important to them. As stated in the article, the urban settings may tend to have a influence on the changing patterns of natural phenomena, such as tornadoes striking "tornado alley". The people of Moore, OK must now live with a totally different lifestyle and mindset after their own culture had been affected by such a natural disaster. The setting, culture, neighborhoods and lifestyle of individuals living in certain locations are often affected by the high possibility of natural phenomena influence by ecology.

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  44. I find this very interesting. urban ecology has many components, people are one of them. I always found it interesting that people would build cities, where you, naturally speaking, geologically speaking, you shouldnt. The 9th ward in new orleans should never been inhabited by people. It was under sea level, prone to risk. Yet it was built there to house those who could not afford better areas, safer areas, areas less prone to natural disasters. Cities are just built by happenstance, people dont just live in places just because, its many factors, including socio-economic status. I also found this true when i visited montreal. historically, the street names on the higher parts of the cities are british, and the lower parts, near the water is french. This shows the powerplay in cities, in people, in urban ecologies.

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  45. There are vast differences in each region or "home" of many people. Boston has terrible snowstorms but it does not have the South's hurricane watch. In each region, their inhabitants must find means to live in the region. We are all species in a environment adapting to the changes and occurrences that take place.

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  46. As you inferred, because of a high percentage of low incomes across America, few people have the fortune to be able to live in cities like New York and Boston because of the high expense of living. The high population density created over the years in these areas is mostly a result of their respective good locations. Boston experiences significantly less extreme weather (such as tornadoes) because of its location and infrastructure. People pay a premium for this, so only the people who can afford to pay those prices stay in cities.

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  47. This article related to number 1 because it discusses how people are living in these environments that they have built. They may not have created the natural events, but the homes they live in are subject to them. They should be aware of these risks and be ready for these events.

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