Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Benefits of Urbanization
Disadvantages of Urbanization
Increased air, water, and land pollu-
tion
Increased sanitation
Improved access to healthcare
Habitat destruction
Easier access to a variety of resources and choices
Increased land use in urban areas
Increased job opportunities
Potential for "urban sprawl"
Use of public transportation and decreased use of individual transporta-
tion
More people per area of land
Ability to fulfill daily needs without traveling a great distance
Health issues
Centralized land use (less land use for a large number of people)
Reduced recreational space
Transportation Infrastructure
Increasing populations and the globalization of our society necessitate the need for a larger
transportation in-
frastructure,
which encompasses the roads, rails, docks, gas stations, and additional framework that makes
our transportation system possible. Common modes of modern transportation include automobiles, boats,
trains, subways, and airplanes, all of which require a unique structure. All of our goods and resources are trans-
ported at some point in time, whether locally or internationally. Food must be transported from farms to pro-
cessing centers to grocery stores and restaurants. Raw resources must be extracted and transported prior to
manufacturing. After a product has been manufactured and packaged, it must be transported to a distribution
warehouse and then finally to the store for purchase. And, of course, many people must travel to work, to
school, to run errands, to see family and friends, and to enjoy recreational activities. In essence, almost every
aspect of our modern world depends on transportation and, therefore, on transportation infrastructure.
Transportation and transportation infrastructure impact the environment, increasing air pollution by burning
fossil fuels, destroying and fragmenting habitats, creating noise and light pollution, and increasing animal
deaths due to collisions. However, since infrastructure is essential in today's world, instead of depending on de-
creasing infrastructure to lessen environmental impact, many point to thoughtful design and implementation of
these systems as key to sustainable transportation.
A properly designed transportation system can effectively reduce the environmental impact of its use. For ex-
ample, efficient highway systems can reduce the amount of time necessary for travel and can help to eliminate
congestion. Reducing congestion reduces the amount of fuel needed and, thus, automobile emissions. Also re-
ducing fuel consumption are urban transportation systems, such as subways and buses.
