IELTS Topic: Urban Sprawl: (causes and prediction)

Some findings have revealed that cities around the world are growing large. Could you outline the possible causes and predict consequences?

In recent years, there has been a growing tendency that the urban sprawl is a common phenomenon in many countries. Therefore, it is essential to evaluate the forces behind this trend and its consequences. 34

To begin with, population growth is widely accepted as the primary reason. Nowadays the space in the city centre is unlikely to provide sufficient housing availability to accommodate an ever-growing population. Besides, in order to offer lower-density living environment to local city residents, an ongoing land development towards surrounding suburbs is deemed as an preferential solution. Moreover, another problem that has intensified in the inner city is infrastructure shortage and poor conditions of buildings. Lack of amenities such as water supply and waste disposal have left no choice to urban dwellers but to resettle in the suburbs, where they have easier access to new facilities. 104

However, the sustained expansion of cities will make a marked impact on the society in several dimensions. Firstly, a high traffic volume between outer city and downtown causes severe air pollution and reduce the lands suitable for farming. Also, the enlargement of cities requires massive developments which make some areas to lose its unique qualities and traditional characteristics. Secondly, from the economic perspective, the relocation of a large population towards suburbs will pose adverse fiscal impact on the local government's infrastructure overhead. Furthermore, from the individual aspect, for those who are usually reside in suburbs, the inflow of new inhabitants will damage the community sport and make relations between neighbours fragile. 109

In conclusion, urban sprawl is a trend which exerts several negative effects. Therefore, the government should organise detail planning and sustainable development to minimise its demerits. 26 / 273

Hello xyz0905!

In recent years, there has been a growing tendency that the urban sprawl is a common phenomenon in many countries.→ Urban sprawl has become common in many countries, particularly in South America, Africa and parts of Asia.

Therefore,it is essential to evaluate the forces behind this trend and its consequences.
You could use this sentence in hundreds of essays. Try to make every sentence specific or related to the topic →
With hundreds of millions of people living in poor conditions in these cities, it's important to examine the causes of this trend and its consequences.

Nowadays the space in the city centre is unlikely to provide sufficient housing availability to accommodate an ever-growing population.

Besides , in order to offer lower-density living environment to localcity residents, an ongoing land development towards surrounding suburbs is deemed as an preferential solution .

This sentence is very wordy. Try to avoid passives: Who deems it 'preferential'? Here's a possible six-word rewrite:
The only solution is to expand outwards.

Firstly, a high traffic volume between the outer city and downtown causes severe air pollution and reduces the lands suitable for farming.
Traffic doesn't reduce the amount of agricultural land, or at least not as much as the houses and other buildings do.
→
Firstly, high traffic between the outer city and downtown causes severe air pollution. Secondly, the new housing developments mean less land for agriculture, despite the growing population.

Try to reduce word length and the number of heavy nouns in your sentences. You can break up some sentences:
Secondly, from the economic perspective, the relocation of a large population towards suburbs will pose adverse fiscal impact on the local government's infrastructure overhead .→

Secondly, relocating people in the suburbs requires large investments in infrastructure. OR Moving people costs money.
A few short sentences would make your essay easier to read and have more impact. Have a mix of short and long sentences.

Therefore, the government should organise detail planning and sustainable development to minimise its demerits.
'Demerits' is not quite right - it's usually used for a fine or penalty. You could specify instead of using a word iike 'disadvantage' or 'drawback': →

City authorities need to plan carefully to avoid the growth of slums and to make our cities safe and sustainable places to live in.

Overall, try for shorter, less wordy sentences. Add some short sentences for impact, especially at the start of paragraphs. Don't use terms like 'fiscal overhead' when money is perfectly fine! The IELTS Reading exam tests your vocabulary. The Writing exam tests your ability to write in a flowing style with well-developed ideas. By having shorter sentences, your message would be clearer and you would be able to give more specific examples.

Hi there,

Thank you for your great help. I will go through them in detail.

Cheers