Abstract
Optimising the spatial structure of cities to promote low-carbon travel is a primary goal of urban planning and construction innovation in the low-carbon era. There is a need for basic research on the structural characteristics that help to reduce motor traffic, thereby promoting energy conservation. We first review the existing literature on the influence of urban spatial structure on transport carbon dioxide emissions and summarise the influence mechanisms. We then present two low-carbon transportation oriented patterns of urban spatial structure including the traditional walking city and the modern transit metropolis, illustrated by case studies. Furthermore, we propose an improved model Green Transportation System Oriented Development (GTOD), which is an extension of traditional transit-oriented development (TOD) and includes the additional features of a walking city and an emphasis on the integration of land use with a green transportation system, consisting of the public transportation and non-auto travel system. A compact urban form, effective mix of land use and appropriate scale of block are the basic structural features of a low-carbon transportation city. However, these features are only effective at promoting low-carbon transportation when integrated with the green traffic systems. Proper integration of the urban structural system with the green space system is also required. The optimal land use/transportation integration strategy is to divide traffic corridors with wedge-shaped green spaces and limit development along the transit corridors. This strategy forms the basis of the proposed urban structural model to promote low-carbon transportation and sustainable urban growth management.
Highlights
Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions resulting from human activities has played the central role in global climate change [1,2,3]
According to the US Energy Information Administration (EIA), the transport sector accounted for approximately 13% of all GHG emissions and over 21% of world energy-related CO2 emissions in 2006 (EIA, 2006)
Stone et al [43] developed a method of vehicle emissions estimation aimed at analysing the emissions under different land development scenarios for several metropolitan areas, and the results indicated that the median reduction in carbon emissions under a compact growth scenario would be 5.1%
Summary
Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions resulting from human activities has played the central role in global climate change [1,2,3]. There are three major approaches to reducing transportation emissions: (1) low-carbon energy sources that reduce the emissions per unit energy; (2) more efficient vehicles that reduce the energy consumption per vehicle-kilometre travelled (VKT); and (3) VKT reduction through implementing an energy-efficient urban spatial structure with improved logistics and non-motorised travel such as walking and biking [25]. Energy-saving technologies provide the technical means for low-carbon transport but are not sufficient to solve the transport emissions problem alone, especially in terms of changing the travel behaviour of city dwellers in response to variations in the urban spatial structure. Urban green space system plays an indispensable role in making low carbon city coming true It can capture carbon release oxygen, reduce its own carbon emission, reduce urban heat island, reduce building energy consumption, induce non-motorized travel, and promote urban agriculture [32]. The objective of this study is to answer the following questions: (1) Does the urban spatial structure have an influence on the transport emissions? (2) What type of spatial structure is most conducive to the reduction of motor traffic to promote energy conservation?
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