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Impacts of urban sprawl and commuting: a modelling study for Italy

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  • Travisi, Chiara M.
  • Camagni, Roberto
  • Nijkamp, Peter

Abstract

This paper aims to analyse empirically the intricate relationship between urban sprawl and commuting, a process that started a few decades ago in Italy. Using a mobility impact index based on commuting data for 1981 and 1991, we quantify the impact of commuting for seven major Italian urban areas, comprising in total 739 municipalities (communes). Our modelling experiment highlights the effect of sprawl at the commune level, while taking into account the variability of communes across geographical location and level of polycentrism. Causal relationships between spatial developments and explanatory factors related to changes in urban density are analysed using multivariate cross-section regression analysis and Causal Path Analysis (CPA). Our empirical results confirm the expectation that sprawl is accompanied by intensive travel movements and associated environmental effects.

Suggested Citation

  • Travisi, Chiara M. & Camagni, Roberto & Nijkamp, Peter, 2010. "Impacts of urban sprawl and commuting: a modelling study for Italy," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 18(3), pages 382-392.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jotrge:v:18:y:2010:i:3:p:382-392
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2009.08.008
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Mobility; Commuting; Sprawl; Density; Travel impact; Causal Path Analysis;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • Q56 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environment and Development; Environment and Trade; Sustainability; Environmental Accounts and Accounting; Environmental Equity; Population Growth
    • R14 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics - - - Land Use Patterns
    • R41 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Transportation Economics - - - Transportation: Demand, Supply, and Congestion; Travel Time; Safety and Accidents; Transportation Noise

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