AP Human Geography (APHG) Models & Theories Practice Test

Urban growth boundaries are a land-use planning tool that draws a fixed line around a city to limit where new development can occur outside that boundary. By restricting expansion beyond this limit, the city is encouraged to fill in and build more densely inside the boundary, promoting infill development, higher density, and mixed-use, transit-friendly growth. This helps preserve surrounding farmland and open space while reducing the costs and environmental impacts of sprawl.

Other options tend to promote outward growth rather than restrain it: expanding highways makes distant areas accessible and attractive for development, car subsidies encourage more driving and suburban expansion, and subsidized suburban development directly supports new housing and infrastructure on the urban fringe.