Despite extensive efforts to understand the overall effect of urban structure on the current patterns of urban mobility, we are still far from a consensual perspective on this complex matter. To help build agreement on the factors influencing travel behaviour, this book discusses the influence of alternative urban structures on sustainable mobility. Bringing together two existing and complementary methods to study the relationship between urban structure and mobility, the authors compare two case studies with distinct urban structures and travel behaviour (Copenhagen and Oporto). Of particular concern is the influence of urban structure factors, namely land use and transport system factors, and motivational factors related to the social, economic and cultural characteristics of the individual traveller. The research presented in this book highlights the relevance of centrality in travel behaviour and in more sustainable travel choices. Different operational forms of the centrality concept are revealed as important: it is shown that more sustainable travel can be influenced by several urban structure factors and that no particular combination is required as long as a certain level of centrality is provided. Finally, the book concludes that urban structure can, on the one hand, constrain and, on the other hand, influence travel choice.

About the Author
Paulo Pinho and CecA lia Silva both work in the Faculty of Engineering, Oporto University, Portugal.

Reviews
'Drawing on a combination of qualitative and quantitative approaches, this book provides a detailed, accessible, comparative account of mobility patterns and urban structure in Oporto and Copenhagen. Its conclusions are resounding: urban structure not only passively influences travel choices, it also actively constrains choices. This has important implications for the role of urban and regional planning in promoting low-carbon development in cities.' Dominic Stead, Delft University of Technology, The Netherlands 'This is a book you want to read if you are interested in linkages between built environment, accessibility and travel behaviour. It applies a unique mixed method approach, in which accessibility instruments and quantitative and qualitative travel behaviour research are applied in two European cities - Oporto and Copenhagen. Paulo Pinho and Cecilia Silva clearly show that urban structure influences travel behaviour and accessibility, and confirm that effective coordination between transport and land use policies is a requirement for achieving more sustainable mobility patterns.' Karst T. Geurs, University of Twente, The Netherlands 'By contrasting the polycentric Greater Oporto with the monocentric Greater Copenhagen and examining both accessibility and travel behaviour, Pinho and Silva successfully make the case for why any policy for sustainable mobility must act on the key factor of urban structure.' Carey Curtis, Curtin University, Australia



Book Information
ISBN 9781138546592
Author Paulo Pinho
Format Paperback
Page Count 252
Imprint Routledge
Publisher Taylor & Francis Ltd
Weight(grams) 470g