What is urban sprawl?

Urban sprawl refers to the rapid expansion of a city into the countryside surrounding it. This phenomenon often occurs when cities extend their boundaries outward into suburban or rural areas, leading to the development of residential neighborhoods, commercial centers, and infrastructure. This expansion typically results in low-density land use, which can contribute to increased dependence on automobiles, longer commuting times, and the potential loss of agricultural land and natural habitats.

In the context of the other options, wildlife growth in urban settings, an increase in urban population density, and the development of vertical structures in urban areas do not accurately describe urban sprawl. Urban sprawl specifically emphasizes the outward growth of urban areas into previously undeveloped land, which distinguishes it from these other urban development concepts.