Abstract
How cities can become more conducive to sustainable travel patterns is a pressing matter in urban research. In the built environment–travel literature, several features potentially promoting sustainable mobility remain under-researched. One concerns the precise role of local accessibility – in terms of the number, variety and specific types of amenities – in promoting the slow modes of walking and cycling and in reducing car use. Another is the possibility that the standard assumption of a linear relationship between density and (un)sustainable travel is flawed. To fill these gaps, we explore specific local amenity supply types that stimulate a large share of residents to walk or cycle, avoiding long drives, to accomplish their daily activities. In a case study of the Västra Götaland region in Sweden, we analyse a combination of high-quality micro data from registers and the national travel survey using a stepwise statistical approach. We find evidence of non-linear discontinuities and significant geographical variation in how local accessibility affects travel behaviour. While more neighbourhood amenities contribute to more walking/cycling, the effect of establishing additional amenities varies amongst neighbourhood types and travel variables. Local everyday services, for example, grocery stores and preschools, are critical in triggering change. The findings inform urban planning by showing how a basic supply of essential amenities could contribute to better prerequisites for walking or cycling and reduced car dependence by inducing residents to choose local options.
Highlights
This paper sheds light on the specific circumstances in which urban residents choose to use local supply options and travel on foot or by bicycle, rather than choosing distant alternatives that require motorised travel by car
The diagram shows strong correlations between local accessibility and travel activities: when the total number of local amenities increases, the residents travel less by car and walk/cycle to a greater extent
Our analysis shows that local accessibility is central to individuals’ travel behaviour in terms of mode choice and volume of car use (i.e. VKT) for everyday activities
Summary
This paper sheds light on the specific circumstances in which urban residents choose to use local supply options and travel on foot or by bicycle, rather than choosing distant alternatives that require motorised travel by car. There is virtual consensus that in a sustainable city, walking and cycling should be integrated components of the overall, multimodal urban transport system (Kenworthy, 2006; Southworth, 2005). They are seen as vital elements of the discourse of vibrant, attractive and healthy cities Much attention is focused on how the urban built environment, depending on its particular characteristics, can either impede or facilitate non-motorised travel modes (Saelens and Handy, 2008; Wang et al, 2016) This is reflected in ‘energy-conscious’ urban planning in which the need for travel is reduced through, for example, density levels that make possible shorter distances between activity locations. This creates opportunities for non-car-based mobility and lowered energy use and associated urban transport emissions (Knaap and Talen, 2005)
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