Factors, causal mechanisms, and structures of urban sprawl

The simultaneous identification of factors, causal mechanisms, and structures is an important step in planning and policy for sustainable urban growth and development. Although many studies have examined economic, social, demographic, physical, and institutional factors, these factors are not examined in depth, and the simultaneous study of factors, causal mechanisms, and structures is ignored. Thus, the main goal of this article is to identify the factors, mechanisms, and structures affecting urban sprawl so that more appropriate measures can be taken to control this increasing growth. The article focuses on a systematic review and qualitative coding based on the views of various authors in the framework of critical realism. According to the results, the highest proportion of factors at the global level belongs to economic factors, and the lowest proportion belongs to physical/geographical factors. The sub-factors of lifestyle/individual housing preferences, population growth/natural increase of population, and GDP also play a prominent role in the formation of sprawl. Regarding the structures affecting this phenomenon, we can point to the role of civil society structure, market structure, and government & institutional structure. Finally, urbanization, increased living standards, globalization, industrialization, commodification, and speculation are mechanisms affecting sprawl