ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the evolution of the sprawling suburban landscape and describes its transformation from metropolis into megalopolis. It analyzes the landscape problems brought about by this process, focusing on the misuse of landscape resources, the generation of landscape hazards, the abuse of inherent suitability for development, and the impact on environmental quality in general. The form and location of cities before industrialization were constrained by the natural characteristics of the land. The Boston metropolitan highway program is typical in its concentration on short-term traffic and economic goals. Agricultural productivity, however, is not the only productive potential of land that has been steadily destroyed by unplanned metropolitan growth. The potential to provide food and habitat for many forms of wildlife has also suffered, especially in the wet-lands—both inland and coastal. Flooding is clearly the most widespread landscape hazard in metropolitan regions.
