Is decarbonisation always costly? The answer is NO.
- Xiaoqing Li
- Dec 20, 2024
- 3 min read
... but you must act as early as possible and not later than the start of the planning stage.
Here is one example: Integrated planning for land use and transportation and creating transit-oriented developments (TODs).
Integrated planning for land use and transportation is a powerful approach for reducing carbon emissions in cities. By aligning the development land and transportation infrastructure, cities can promote sustainable urban growth, reduce reliance on private vehicles, and encourage the use of low-carbon transportation options.
While building public transportation infrastructure can be costly, it pales in comparison to the expenses associated with constructing additional roads, the reduction in available land for urban development, and the decline in land value caused by an unfavorable living environment. The "cost" of not having integrated land use and transportation planning is ultimately much higher.
How to integrate land use planning with transportation planning, how much carbon emission reductions can these bring, and what are the economic benefits?
Promoting mixed-use and compact urban development.
Integrating land use and transport planning encourages higher-density, mixed-use developments where residential, commercial, and recreational areas are close together. This reduces the need for long commutes and travel distances, thereby reducing car dependency and lowering emissions from transportation.
Mixed-Use Developments around the rail stations boost economic resilience. For instance, Hong Kong’s MTR projects have reported a 30% higher property value appreciation within mixed-use TODs, reflecting the economic benefits of human-centred planning.
Compact development also optimizes infrastructure use, such as roads, utilities, and public transport, making it more efficient and less resource-intensive.
Studies suggest that compact urban development can reduce per capita transportation-related emissions by 20-40% compared to more sprawling, car-dependent urban forms.
Creating vibrant urban spaces and thriving businesses through human-centric design.
Human-centric TOD designs prioritize walkability and seamless connectivity between transport hubs and surrounding areas. Studies show that a 10% increase in walkability can lead to a 6% rise in retail sales within the vicinity, fostering thriving local businesses.
Incorporating open spaces, plazas, and amenities encourages community engagement and social interaction. Evidence from cities like Tokyo demonstrates that TOD projects with integrated public spaces experience a 25% higher footfall compared to non-integrated counterparts, enhancing both urban vibrancy and economic activity.
Enhancing public transit accessibility.
By planning land use around public transport hubs, or Transit-Oriented Development (TOD), cities can increase public transport accessibility, encouraging people to use buses, trains, or trams instead of private cars. This reduces the overall vehicle kilometers traveled (VKT), leading to significant emissions reductions.
Improving pedestrian and cycling infrastructure around transit hubs, or last-mile connectivity, makes it easier for people to access public transportation, further reducing reliance on cars.
Implementing TOD strategies around transit hubs can lead to a reduction in transportation-related emissions by 15-25% in the surrounding area due to increased public transport use and reduced car dependency.
Encouraging active mobility.
Planning that integrates land use with transport infrastructure can prioritize the development of bicycle lanes, pedestrian pathways, and safe crossings, encouraging more people to walk or cycle instead of driving. This promotes the creation of walkable neighbourhoods.
Incorporating green spaces and parks into urban design encourages outdoor activities and reduces the heat island effect, contributing indirectly to lower energy use and emissions.
Expanding cycling infrastructure can lead to significant emissions reductions. For example, cities with high cycling rates (e.g., Copenhagen) report reductions in transport-related CO2 emissions by 10-15%.
Optimizing freight and logistics.
By strategically planning the locations of logistics centres and distribution hubs, cities can reduce the distance goods need to travel, minimizing emissions from freight transport.
Implementing urban consolidation centres can reduce the number of delivery vehicles in cities, decreasing traffic congestion and emissions.
Efficient freight and logistics planning can reduce emissions from urban freight transport by 10-30%, depending on the effectiveness of consolidation centres and optimized delivery routes.
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