Transport and wellbeing in a newly constructed greenfield estate: A quantitative exploration of the commuting experience

Abstract

IntroductionPrivate car dependency is widely recognised as problematic. While ongoing advances in technologies of connectivity mean our capacity to envision a less car dependent city is stronger than ever, many cities and routines remain defined by the private car. Greenfield development on the outskirts of cities provides a case in point of how this comes to be. Car dependence is perpetuated in newly established outer urban areas because residential growth often precedes the arrival of the infrastructure, jobs and services required to live a less car dependent life. These asynchronies in greenfield development processes are known to have negative health implications. Less explored are the health impacts of the specific transport practices associated with relocating to a greenfield estate. This paper seeks to fill this gap by providing new insights into the health impacts of the transport practices associated with relocation to the suburbs. ProceduresThe study draws from a sample of 317 recently relocated residents to a greenfield estate in Sydney, Australia and uses multiple regression techniques to provide a quantitative exploration of the commuting experience. FindingsSubstantial increases in commute times for relocating residents are revealed and these commutes are car-dependent. This impacts wellbeing in different ways. Increases in commute time and changed commute time of departure are found to be significantly associated with lower mental health scores and decreased indices of subjective wellbeing. Conversely, an appreciation of private car use and disregard for public transport access is associated with increased happiness. ConclusionsThe pathways between commute time, mental health and subjective wellbeing are complex and embedded in subjective experiences of the commute both past and present. These findings need further research in the future.