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The Energy Implications of City Size and Density

Author

Listed:
  • William Larson

    (Federal Housing Finance Agency)

  • Anthony M. Yezer

Abstract

This paper develops a new open-city urban simulation model capable of showing the urban form and energy consumption effects of variation in city size. The model is able to consider city size differences caused by wage and amenity differentials, both with and without housing and land use regulation. The surprising conclusion is that per-capita energy use is relatively invariant to city size when growth is driven by wages but falls modestly with growth induced by rising amenity. Common land use policies, specifically density limits and greenbelts, can positively or negatively affect both city welfare and energy use.

Suggested Citation

  • William Larson & Anthony M. Yezer, 2015. "The Energy Implications of City Size and Density," Working Papers 2015-15, The George Washington University, Institute for International Economic Policy.
    • Handle: RePEc:gwi:wpaper:2015-15
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    File URL: http://www.gwu.edu/~iiep/assets/docs/papers/2015WP/YezerIIEPWP201515.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    urban simulation; congestion; commuting; gasoline; greenbelt;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • Q40 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Energy - - - General
    • R14 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics - - - Land Use Patterns

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