Introduction
Suburbanization refers to the outward growth of urban development, which is more likely to engulf the surrounding larger urban agglomeration (Jargowsky & Park, 2009). It is essential to note the suburbs are usually the outlying areas of a city that so close to the city center so that they can easily be accessed by various commuters. Suburbanization is basically a type of urbanization in that it results in the increase of people that live in cities and towns as compared to the rural areas. The growth of suburbs attracts people from within the city as well as those from the rural areas. Such people are highly attracted by the greater amount of space that exists within the suburbs.
It is essential to note the suburbanization causes the physical spreading of the city to the surrounding areas in the countryside. The process is known as urban sprawl, and it puts great pressure on nature, such as the Greenfield and the Shellharbour areas (Jargowsky & Park, 2009). It is essential to note that not all the suburbs are the same and that there are distinguishable types. Despite the fact that most of the suburbs are highly populated by middle-class people, they may not be uniform in several respects. The suburban house building has always been influenced by innovations in transport and communications. There is a notable difference in the suburbs in Britain, the USA, and other European cities. For instance, the suburbs in Australia and the USA have a much lower density, and people are highly dependent on the car.
Suburbanization in the Shellharbour
Shellharbour is a city situated in the Illawarra region of New South Wale. It is about 100 kilometers south of the Sydney CBD. The suburb is bounded by the Tasman Sea to the East, Wollongong city to the North, Wingecarribee Shire to the West, and the Municipality of Kiama to the South. The city derives its name from several shells in the area (Jargowsky & Park, 2009). The Shellharbour city is an expanding urban settlement with commercial and industrial activities. The city covers a total land area of about 155 square kilometers, including the state and national parks, beaches, rivers, and other significant parklands. The Shellharbour is served by Princess Highway, Illawarra highway, and the south railway line.
History of the Shellharbour
The European settlement at Shellharbour dates back to 1817, especially when the first land grants were made. At that time, the land was mainly used for grazing cattle and sheep, cedar getting, and wheat growing. There was minimal growth until the 1850s, especially when the Shellhabor Township got laid out. There was the expansion of the city between the 1880s and 1890s, characterized by the construction of the dairy industry, coal mining, basalt mining, and construction of the railway line (Jargowsky & Park, 2009). The growth of the city continued to the 1900s, supported by the construction of several holidays. There was faster development of the Southern area compared to the north due to the existence of better infrastructural access. There was a significant population growth during the 1990s, from 46000 in 1991 to about 56000 in the early 2000s (Mieszkowski & Mills, 1993). The growth was mainly witnessed in the western and southern areas, especially in Flinders, Albion Park, Shellharbour city center, and Shell Cove.
Consequences of Suburbanization of the Shellharbour
The suburbanization of the Shellharbour area has come with both positive and negative consequences. For instance, it has resulted in a decline in inner-city areas since most businesses and skilled personnel move away (Mieszkowski & Mills, 1993). Again, there has been a characteristic increase in pressure, especially of the greenbelt that is designed to limit the growth of the cities.
