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Urban Form and the Environmental Impact of Commuting in a Segregated City, Santiago de Chile

Author

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  • Xabier Gainza

    (Department of Applied Economics I, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Avda Lehendakari Aguirre 83, Bilbao 48015, Spain)

  • Felipe Livert

    (Planning Directorate, Ministry of Public Works, Morande 59, Santiago de Chile 8340652, Chile)

Abstract

The literature on the relationship between the built environment and travel has identified population density and the mix of land uses as key characteristics of the urban form that affect travel patterns. However, in cities with strong sociospatial disparities it is not clear if these characteristics apply in the same way. In this paper we use regression analysis to estimate the influence of the spatial growth pattern of Santiago, Chile, on the environmental impact of commuting. Our findings can be summarized in three points: The travel impact increases as the city spreads out because of the monocentric nature of Santiago; the environmental impact of commuting could be reduced by containing commuters within the area where they live; and the use of public transport reduces the impact, but the modal choice depends not only on the effectiveness of the transport system but also on the characteristics of the urban form and other socioeconomic determinants. Consequently, we propose to reorient the growth pattern in three ways: redirecting land-use policy to promote development within the already built area, developing compact areas where residential and economic activities are mixed, and facing sociospatial disparities as a way to encourage the use of public transport. This would reduce the environmental impact of commuting while, at the same time, tackling sociospatial segregation.

Suggested Citation

  • Xabier Gainza & Felipe Livert, 2013. "Urban Form and the Environmental Impact of Commuting in a Segregated City, Santiago de Chile," Environment and Planning B, , vol. 40(3), pages 507-522, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:envirb:v:40:y:2013:i:3:p:507-522
    DOI: 10.1068/b38045
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Tomás Cox & Ricardo Hurtubia, 2021. "Subdividing the sprawl: Endogenous segmentation of housing submarkets in expansion areas of Santiago, Chile," Environment and Planning B, , vol. 48(7), pages 1770-1786, September.
    2. Felipe Livert & Cecilia Osorio & Jose Acuña, 2022. "Does reducing municipal taxes work to increase revenue and reduce inequality at the metropolitan level? Evidence from Santiago de Chile," Regional Science Policy & Practice, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 14(6), pages 322-343, December.
    3. François Des Rosiers & Marius Thériault & Gjin Biba & Marie-Hélène Vandersmissen, 2017. "Greenhouse gas emissions and urban form: Linking households’ socio-economic status with housing and transportation choices," Environment and Planning B, , vol. 44(5), pages 964-985, September.
    4. Basnak, Paul & Giesen, Ricardo & Muñoz, Juan Carlos, 2022. "Estimation of crowding factors for public transport during the COVID-19 pandemic in Santiago, Chile," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 159(C), pages 140-156.

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