Session 4: mobility policy in practice

Question 1

What are the SUMPs?

Answer 1

Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan(s)

they are co-financed projects at the level of the municipality, with subsidy from the Flemish government. Include various local actors. Example projects: redesign of schools, sustainable access of new developments, cycling networks, etc…

Question 2

What is the difference between spatial proximity versus accessibility?

Answer 2

Proximity is associated with distance, while accessibility is associated with travel time (time distance)

Question 3

What are the four key aspects of sustainable travel?

How do these relate to spatial proximity?

Answer 3

1. reducing the need for travel through substitution
2. modal shift away from private fossil-fueled cars
3. distance reduction through land use planning
4. efficiency increase through technological innovation

The relationship to spatial proximity is mostly found in the 3rd aspect, but also partly in the 2nd aspect

Question 4

Why should we study the relationship between spatial proximity and sustainability?

Answer 4

Because, global warming is caused by fossil fuel emissions, and therefore by driving personal automobiles. Also, we are reaching peak oil (maybe) . Therefore, by reducing spatial proximity, we reduce travel distances and therefore reduce fuel consumption

Question 5

what are the 4 examples of spatial proximity indicators?

Answer 5

1. jobs-housing balance
2. home based minimum commuting distance
3. job location based minimum commuting distance
4. weighted proximity to daily facilities

Question 6

Focusing on sustainability, what are some mobility-related indicators related to spatial proximity?

Answer 6

Commute energy performance

Expected mobility production per (new) resident for all quasi-daily trips combined

Question 7

What are the 4 main conclusions from this lecture?

Answer 7

1. The relationship between spatial proximity and distance travelled is statistically significant, but rather weak
2. Spatial expansion is only partly responsible for increasing mobility.
3. The importance of spatial proximity will gain importance assuming that oil prices continue to increase
4. Compact development and agglomeration effects is the best strategy to curb excessive mobility

Question 8

Based on the conclusions, what are the 3 policy recommendations?

Answer 8

1. More housing, as close as possible to existing urban agglomerations at a high density with mixed use should be a primary target (i.e compact development)
2. Within agglomerations, the spatial distribution of amenities must be well-balanced among centers and sub-centers
3. small urban areas should offer all the jobs and amenities required by inhabitants so that the need to travel to agglomerations is reduced. Housing may be necessary but is not desirable (in principle) because is may cause more traffic.

Question 9

What are the mobility typologies of Belgian cities?

Answer 9

Pedestrian town: Louvain-la-Neuve
Bike cities: Bruges and Turnhout
Public transport cities: Brussels
Car cities: Charleroi, Liege

Question 10

What are the 3 impacts of spatial planning on mobility?

Answer 10

1. Choice of location, modal choice and embeddedness in the urban fabric –> ex: shopping malls which are well located facilitate more PT and soft modes, like City2 in Brussels
2. Road construction –> this is approached ‘traditionally’ by arguing that roads bring strong economic growth, fight congestion, improves liveability and safety, and public investment is a regional economic stimulus (bringing employment).
   But, there are also disadvantages, such as: ecological damage, induced demand, threats of property use value, r.e value, and environmental quality
3. Spatial distribution of primary schools –> can be done by mapping the distance between residence and nearest school. There are differences between Flemish cities such as Bruges, which has greater proximity due to historical structure, and Genk which has less proximity b/c of lack of clusters and lower density

Question 11

What are the three examples of SUMPs from the lecture?

Answer 11

Case: Bruges
     Traffic circulation plan in 1992 
     Cars redirected to ring road 
     Inner city speed limits 
     Revision of bus network 
Case: Copenhagen 
     “Finger plan” along transit corridors
     Bike parking improved
     Revision of bus network
Case: London 
     Congestion pricing only in inner city area 
     Effective in reducing traffic