Which policy creates a geographic boundary around a city to curb suburban sprawl?

• A. Urbanization
• B. Vertical Geography
• C. Zones of Abandonment
• D. Urban growth boundary

Answer: (D)

The concept here is a policy tool that draws a line around a city to control where new development can occur. An urban growth boundary is exactly that—it sets a geographic limit around the urban area and restricts outward expansion, encouraging growth to occur within the boundary or in already-developed areas. This helps curb suburban sprawl, protect farmland and natural spaces on the edges, and promote more efficient infrastructure and services.

Other terms don’t fit as a boundary policy: urbanization is the overall process of city growth, not a specific tool; vertical geography refers to building upward rather than outward, not a boundary; zones of abandonment describe areas losing population and activity rather than a policy to manage growth.