The Times Australia
The Times World News

.

Urban sprawl is 'not a dirty word'? If the priority is to meet all kids' needs, it should be

  • Written by Hulya Gilbert, Lecturer in Planning and Human Geography, La Trobe University
Urban sprawl is 'not a dirty word'? If the priority is to meet all kids' needs, it should be

Amid Australia’s housing crisis, land-supply slogans[1] are once again dominating discussions about the solutions. Governments[2] and private developers[3] often blame housing crises on lack of land for new housing. Their solution? Rezone farmland for housing on the suburban fringe.

Earlier this year, the South Australian government announced the state’s largest ever release of land for housing[4]. Some 23,700 houses are to be built on the fringe of Adelaide. SA Premier Peter Malinauskas has even said[5] urban sprawl “is not a dirty word”.

Support for the creation of fringe suburbs, while still business as usual in Australia, reflects outdated views. [Evidence[6]] of the need to halt urban sprawl is now overwhelming. The spruiking[7] of these greenfield developments as affordable and good for young families with children is at odds with their experiences of these developments.

Read more: National’s housing u-turn promotes urban sprawl – cities and ratepayers will pick up the bill[8]

What life is actually like on the suburban fringe

Greenfield developments are often attractive to young families due to the perception of affordable housing[9] and promises of local schools, childcare, shops and public transport. However, these neighbourhoods rarely live up to such expectations. Instead, they often entrench disadvantage due to the neglect of transport costs[10] when assessing how affordable suburban housing is.

Read more: Outer suburbs' housing cost advantage vanishes when you add in transport – it needs to be part of the affordability debate[11]

Families in Truganina[12] and Tarneit[13] in Melbourne’s west exemplify the daily struggles of outer suburban life. Nearly a decade after moving in, the promises of local schools and public transport had failed to materialise.

Likewise, in the outer suburbs of Western Sydney[14], Brisbane[15] and Adelaide[16], families with children struggle to get to the services they need without a car. In South Australia, the Thrive by Five[17] alliance cites transport as the second-biggest barrier[18] (after attendance costs) to early learning.

These suburbs all provide stark reminders to governments of the problems associated with the suburban sprawl they have encouraged.

fenced grassland in front of a new housing development
Long after moving into their new houses, Tarneit residents are paying the price for the lack of promised services. Shutterstock

Suburban sprawl and car dependence go hand in hand

The defining feature of suburban sprawl is car dependence. It’s linked with most of the social and economic downsides[19] of sprawl. Continuing with such developments signals an acceptance of car dependence and the growing social and economic burdens[20] it imposes on future generations.

Life on the fringe without a private car is particularly difficult for families with children due to their complex travel patterns[21]. For example, trip chaining between children’s schools, extra-curricular activities and parents’ workplaces is common.

The harmful impacts of these car-centric suburbs disproportionally affect children.

Read more: Children in the car era: bad for them and the planet[22]

To start with, road deaths are the leading cause of death[23] for children and young adults globally. It’s easily one of the most underestimated issues in our world.

Concerns for children’s safety in car-dominated neighbourhoods and other accessibility issues make the private car “a must use tool” in outer suburbs. We know the rest: the vicious cycle of car dependence and more and more driving.

So suburban sprawl leads to more high-speed roads, longer distances between centres of daily activity and more time in cars. All these factors increase the risk[24] of road deaths and injuries.

Car-dependent neighbourhoods deprive children of opportunities[25] essential for their health and wellbeing. They miss out on physical activity, unstructured play, social interaction and developing social networks. In addition, traffic noise[26] and air pollution[27] expose them to a wide range of environmental and health problems.

Read more: We're still fighting city freeways after half a century[28]

Having a backyard doesn’t meet all children’s needs

What does a truly child-friendly neighbourhood look like? It allows for safe and convenient active travel – walking, cycling and “wheeling[29]” (using mobility devices) – as well as public transport, to conduct daily activities. Child-friendliness is embedded in the everyday places[30], in streets, parks, square and public transport.

But all too often children’s play opportunities are reduced to the tiny backyards that are now common in fringe suburbs. These suburban restrictions are at odds with globally recognised principles of child-friendliness[31]. Backyards alone cannot make up for the lack of access to child care, schools, shops, recreation and health services.

How can we develop better planning policies to create neighbourhoods that properly meet families’ needs? Some policies already exist, such as 15-minute[32] or 20-minute neighbourhoods[33], to reduce private car use for daily activities. But these policies get sidelined when governments promote suburban sprawl and build more freeways[34].

These governments should not dismiss the suitability of higher-density living in well-serviced neighbourhoods for families with children. Yes, some densification policies have been blind to the needs[35] of children and their families. However, when done well, high-density settings can be wonderful communities[36] for such families.

With careful planning[37], many more families could be housed in established areas without having to significantly increase building heights.

Read more: People love the idea of 20-minute neighbourhoods. So why isn't it top of the agenda?[38]

Car-centric planning has failed families

Car-centric planning dates back to the 1950s. Since then, Australian suburban fringe development has largely failed to create child-friendly neighbourhoods. Given the pro-sprawl political advocacy[39], the prospects of Adelaide’s largest ever greenfield development being good for children are rather poor, despite some encouraging steps[40] by the government to ensure the new suburbs get adequate infrastructure.

Using aspirations of families with children to justify suburban sprawl is exploitative and misleading. It’s an approach that ignores the real-life challenges residents experience and distracts from government’s responsibility for proper planning.

If governments are serious about the needs of families with children, they could start by acknowledging children’s needs and rights[41] to be able to get to their daily destinations without a car. To deliver neighbourhoods that make this possible, governments need to be bold and decisive in their planning.

Suburban sprawl and car dependence go hand in hand. Our politicians must commit to urban planning where cars are no longer privileged. Otherwise we deny our children basic rights to learn, play and socialise safely in their own neighbourhoods.

Read more: No need to give up on crowded cities – we can make density so much better[42]

References

  1. ^ land-supply slogans (theconversation.com)
  2. ^ Governments (indaily.com.au)
  3. ^ private developers (www.adelaidenow.com.au)
  4. ^ largest ever release of land for housing (www.premier.sa.gov.au)
  5. ^ said (indaily.com.au)
  6. ^ Evidence (islandpress.org)
  7. ^ spruiking (www.adelaidenow.com.au)
  8. ^ National’s housing u-turn promotes urban sprawl – cities and ratepayers will pick up the bill (theconversation.com)
  9. ^ perception of affordable housing (theconversation.com)
  10. ^ neglect of transport costs (theconversation.com)
  11. ^ Outer suburbs' housing cost advantage vanishes when you add in transport – it needs to be part of the affordability debate (theconversation.com)
  12. ^ Truganina (www.theguardian.com)
  13. ^ Tarneit (www.abc.net.au)
  14. ^ Western Sydney (www.abc.net.au)
  15. ^ Brisbane (www.brisbanetimes.com.au)
  16. ^ Adelaide (indaily.com.au)
  17. ^ Thrive by Five (thrivebyfive.org.au)
  18. ^ second-biggest barrier (indaily.com.au)
  19. ^ social and economic downsides (theconversation.com)
  20. ^ social and economic burdens (theconversation.com)
  21. ^ complex travel patterns (www.tandfonline.com)
  22. ^ Children in the car era: bad for them and the planet (theconversation.com)
  23. ^ leading cause of death (www.who.int)
  24. ^ increase the risk (ajph.aphapublications.org)
  25. ^ deprive children of opportunities (www.sciencedirect.com)
  26. ^ noise (www.theguardian.com)
  27. ^ air pollution (www.theguardian.com)
  28. ^ We're still fighting city freeways after half a century (theconversation.com)
  29. ^ wheeling (www.transport.gov.scot)
  30. ^ embedded in the everyday places (www.sciencedirect.com)
  31. ^ principles of child-friendliness (www.childfriendlycities.org)
  32. ^ 15-minute (www.future.transport.nsw.gov.au)
  33. ^ 20-minute neighbourhoods (www.suburbandevelopment.vic.gov.au)
  34. ^ build more freeways (theconversation.com)
  35. ^ blind to the needs (www.tandfonline.com)
  36. ^ wonderful communities (www.citiesforplay.com)
  37. ^ careful planning (www.tandfonline.com)
  38. ^ People love the idea of 20-minute neighbourhoods. So why isn't it top of the agenda? (theconversation.com)
  39. ^ pro-sprawl political advocacy (indaily.com.au)
  40. ^ encouraging steps (plan.sa.gov.au)
  41. ^ children’s needs and rights (apo.org.au)
  42. ^ No need to give up on crowded cities – we can make density so much better (theconversation.com)

Read more https://theconversation.com/urban-sprawl-is-not-a-dirty-word-if-the-priority-is-to-meet-all-kids-needs-it-should-be-208670

Times Magazine

Headless CMS in Digital Twins and 3D Product Experiences

Image by freepik As the metaverse becomes more advanced and accessible, it's clear that multiple sectors will use digital twins and 3D product experiences to visualize, connect, and streamline efforts better. A digital twin is a virtual replica of ...

The Decline of Hyper-Casual: How Mid-Core Mobile Games Took Over in 2025

In recent years, the mobile gaming landscape has undergone a significant transformation, with mid-core mobile games emerging as the dominant force in app stores by 2025. This shift is underpinned by changing user habits and evolving monetization tr...

Understanding ITIL 4 and PRINCE2 Project Management Synergy

Key Highlights ITIL 4 focuses on IT service management, emphasising continual improvement and value creation through modern digital transformation approaches. PRINCE2 project management supports systematic planning and execution of projects wit...

What AI Adoption Means for the Future of Workplace Risk Management

Image by freepik As industrial operations become more complex and fast-paced, the risks faced by workers and employers alike continue to grow. Traditional safety models—reliant on manual oversight, reactive investigations, and standardised checklist...

From Beach Bops to Alpine Anthems: Your Sonos Survival Guide for a Long Weekend Escape

Alright, fellow adventurers and relaxation enthusiasts! So, you've packed your bags, charged your devices, and mentally prepared for that glorious King's Birthday long weekend. But hold on, are you really ready? Because a true long weekend warrior kn...

Effective Commercial Pest Control Solutions for a Safer Workplace

Keeping a workplace clean, safe, and free from pests is essential for maintaining productivity, protecting employee health, and upholding a company's reputation. Pests pose health risks, can cause structural damage, and can lead to serious legal an...

The Times Features

Distressed by all the bad news? Here’s how to stay informed but still look after yourself

If you’re feeling like the news is particularly bad at the moment, you’re not alone. But many of us can’t look away – and don’t want to. Engaging with news can help us make ...

The Role of Your GP in Creating a Chronic Disease Management Plan That Works

Living with a long-term condition, whether that is diabetes, asthma, arthritis or heart disease, means making hundreds of small decisions every day. You plan your diet against m...

Troubleshooting Flickering Lights: A Comprehensive Guide for Homeowners

Image by rawpixel.com on Freepik Effectively addressing flickering lights in your home is more than just a matter of convenience; it's a pivotal aspect of both home safety and en...

My shins hurt after running. Could it be shin splints?

If you’ve started running for the first time, started again after a break, or your workout is more intense, you might have felt it. A dull, nagging ache down your shins after...

Metal Roof Replacement Cost Per Square Metre in 2025: A Comprehensive Guide for Australian Homeowners

In recent years, the trend of installing metal roofs has surged across Australia. With their reputation for being both robust and visually appealing, it's easy to understand thei...

Why You’re Always Adjusting Your Bra — and What to Do Instead

Image by freepik It starts with a gentle tug, then a subtle shift, and before you know it, you're adjusting your bra again — in the middle of work, at dinner, even on the couch. I...