THE HIGH COST OF SPRAWL

"Many people move to the suburbs in order to escape the perceived 'ills of the city,'" says a recent report released by Ontario College of Family Physicians. While citing some benefits of suburbia: "less exposure to noise pollution, less overcrowding, decreased stigma and fear of crime, and a greater experience of nature," it says "there appears to be growing evidence that suggests that the negative health impacts are enormous and ultimately far outweigh those benefits…As a sanctuary from life stress, sprawl communities have increased loneliness, inactivity, depression and commuting stress with which to contend. Ironically, the promise of increased contact with nature is contradicted by the fact that sprawling development reduces the amount and quality of natural areas."

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Source: RealtyTimes.com