Does Immigration Induce Urban Sprawl in the U.S.? A Demographic Analysis

Journal of Planning Forum, Vol. 8, Spring 2002

Posted: 2 Oct 2002

See all articles by Zhou Yu

Zhou Yu

Department of Family and Consumer Studies

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Abstract

This article, utilizing U.S. Census data in 1980 and 1990, probes the relationship between immigration and urban sprawl. The preliminary findings reveal that native-born and foreign-born populations are very different regarding their household behaviors. Population growth caused by immigration is not likely the major causal factor to urban sprawl. The residential pattern of native-borns is more prone to inducing urban sprawl, since native-borns have a much higher growth rate in the number of households, owner-occupied housing, suburban residency, and demand for new housing. The article also shows that household behavior is a critical factor in causing urban sprawl. Household growth rather than population growth has a stronger causal linkage with urban sprawl. Future research, implementing microdata, is necessary to better disentangle the complex relationship.

Keywords: Immigrants, Urban Sprawl, Urban Form, Household, Population growth, Census, Demographic Analysis

JEL Classification: R23, J15

Suggested Citation

Yu, Zhou, Does Immigration Induce Urban Sprawl in the U.S.? A Demographic Analysis. Journal of Planning Forum, Vol. 8, Spring 2002, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=324522

Zhou Yu (Contact Author)

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