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Evolution of urban mobility behaviour in Brussels as a result of the COVID‐19 pandemic

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  • Alice de Séjournet
  • Cathy Macharis
  • Sara Tori
  • Lieselot Vanhaverbeke

Abstract

The goal of this research is to understand the impact of COVID‐19 restriction measures on the change in urban mobility in Brussels, Belgium. With daily data over the past 2 years depicting both the affluence to different places and the level and type of restrictions, we investigate through regression analysis their impacts on the changes in driving, public transport and cycling use. We find that cycling increased significantly (+63%), and that driving levels have returned to pre‐COVID levels after a significant reduction in spring 2020, while the return to public transport has been slower. We also find that the change in cycling use was not influenced by COVID‐19 restrictions, although telework and closing of retail establishments strongly affected the other modes. El objetivo de esta investigación es comprender el impacto de las medidas de restricción debidas a COVID‐19 en el cambio de la movilidad urbana en Bruselas (Bélgica). Con datos diarios de los últimos 2 años que muestran tanto la afluencia a diferentes lugares como el nivel y el tipo de restricciones, se investigó mediante un análisis de regresión sus impactos en los cambios en el uso del automóvil, el transporte público y la bicicleta. Se encontró que el uso de la bicicleta aumentó significativamente (+63%), y que los niveles de uso del automóvil han vuelto a los niveles anteriores a COVID después de una reducción significativa en la primavera de 2020, mientras que la vuelta al transporte público ha sido más lenta. También se encontró que el cambio en el uso de la bicicleta no se vio influido por las restricciones de COVID‐19, aunque el teletrabajo y el cierre de establecimientos comerciales afectaron fuertemente a los otros modos de transporte. 本稿では、ベルギーのブリュッセルにおける都市部の移動性の変化に対するCOVID‐19による制限措置の影響を解明する。様々な場所への人流と制限のレベルとタイプの両方を示す過去2年間の毎日のデータを用いて、回帰分析により、自動車、公共交通機関および自転車の利用の変化に対する制限措置の影響を調べた。自転車の利用が有意に増加し(+63%)、自動車の利用は2020年の春に有意に減少した後にコロナ前のレベルに戻ったが、公共交通機関の利用の回復は遅かった。また、自転車の利用の変化はCOVID‐19による制限措置の影響を受けなかったが、テレワークと商業施設の閉鎖は自動車及び公共交通機関の利用に強く影響したことがわかった。

Suggested Citation

  • Alice de Séjournet & Cathy Macharis & Sara Tori & Lieselot Vanhaverbeke, 2022. "Evolution of urban mobility behaviour in Brussels as a result of the COVID‐19 pandemic," Regional Science Policy & Practice, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 14(S1), pages 107-121, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:rgscpp:v:14:y:2022:i:s1:p:107-121
    DOI: 10.1111/rsp3.12525
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    4. Manelici, Isabela, 2017. "Terrorism and the value of proximity to public transportation: Evidence from the 2005 London bombings," Journal of Urban Economics, Elsevier, vol. 102(C), pages 52-75.
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