extentvorming

Extentvorming is a Dutch term used in urban planning and geography to describe the process of urban sprawl or outward expansion of settlements. It refers to the way cities and towns grow, often characterized by low-density development spreading into surrounding rural or undeveloped areas. This expansion can occur through various means, including the construction of new housing estates, commercial centers, and industrial parks on the periphery of existing urban areas.

The causes of extentvorming are multifaceted. They often include population growth, increased car ownership leading to greater mobility, a desire for larger homes and gardens, and economic development that creates new employment centers away from traditional downtown areas. Planning policies that permit or encourage development on greenfield sites can also contribute significantly to this phenomenon.

Extentvorming has several consequences. It can lead to increased infrastructure costs for providing services like roads, water, and sewage to dispersed populations. Environmentally, it can result in habitat loss, increased reliance on cars and thus higher carbon emissions, and loss of agricultural land. Socially, it can lead to a segregation of land uses, longer commutes, and a potential decline in the vitality of older urban centers. Urban planners often grapple with managing or mitigating the effects of extentvorming through strategies like densification, mixed-use development, and the promotion of public transportation.