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Reducing urban sprawl by optimizing housing production

Author

Listed:
  • Wadjidou Boukari
  • Fenjie Long

Abstract

Scholars demonstrated the importance of house planners in the creation of environmentally friendly homes. Despite the lack of broad agreement on the type of freehold estate that could reduce urban sprawl, the authors agree on the role of government and developers in housing planning and construction. According to a recent study, the government and developers are investing in freehold estates to promote sustainable urban growth. However, this study employs urban growth theories to explain the policy's success. First, we examine the rate of urban growth and the trends in urban sprawl. The affordability of ground‐floor and three‐story buildings is then assessed. The findings show that 19.36 square kilometers of built‐up area contributed to land use expansion in Abomey‐Calavi, Benin Republic, between 1974 and 2015, and four districts are at higher risk of environmental degradation. To mitigate this, three‐story buildings could be inclusive and improve efficient land use, thereby limiting urban sprawl.

Suggested Citation

  • Wadjidou Boukari & Fenjie Long, 2023. "Reducing urban sprawl by optimizing housing production," Growth and Change, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 54(2), pages 529-549, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:growch:v:54:y:2023:i:2:p:529-549
    DOI: 10.1111/grow.12663
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    References listed on IDEAS

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