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Changing Urban Form and Transport CO 2 Emissions: An Empirical Analysis of Beijing, China

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  • Yunjing Wang

    (State Key Laboratory of Earth Surface Processes and Resource Ecology, Beijing Normal University, 19 Xinjiekouwai Street, Beijing 100875, China
    International Research Center for Sustainable Transport and Cities, Nagoya University, C1-2(651) Furo-cho, Nagoya 4648603, Japan)

  • Yoshitsugu Hayashi

    (International Research Center for Sustainable Transport and Cities, Nagoya University, C1-2(651) Furo-cho, Nagoya 4648603, Japan)

  • Jin Chen

    (College of Global Change and Earth System Science, Beijing Normal University, 19 Xinjiekouwai Street, Beijing 100875, China)

  • Qiang Li

    (College of Resources Science and Technology, Beijing Normal University, 19 Xinjiekouwai Street, Beijing 100875, China)

Abstract

Decentralization development and changing urban form will increase the mobility and contribute to global CO 2 emissions, in particular for developing countries which are experiencing rapid economic growth and urban expansion. In this paper, an integrated analytical framework, which can quantify the impact of changing urban form on commuting CO 2 emissions, is presented. This framework simultaneously considers two emission dependent factors, commuting demand and modal share based on the concept of excess commuting and accessibility analysis, and ensures its applicability to other cities where the detailed individual travel data is not available. A case study of Beijing from 2000 to 2009 is used to illustrate this framework. The findings suggest that changing urban form in Beijing did have a significant impact on commuting CO 2 emission increase. Changing to a more decentralized urban form in Beijing had a larger impact on commuting distance and increased usage of cars, which resulted in a significant rise in CO 2 emissions. There is a larger space and an urgent need for commuting CO 2 emission reduction, in 2009 in Beijing, by planning and by strategic measures in order to promote sustainable transport.

Suggested Citation

  • Yunjing Wang & Yoshitsugu Hayashi & Jin Chen & Qiang Li, 2014. "Changing Urban Form and Transport CO 2 Emissions: An Empirical Analysis of Beijing, China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 6(7), pages 1-22, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:6:y:2014:i:7:p:4558-4579:d:38426
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    6. Gudipudi, Ramana & Fluschnik, Till & Ros, Anselmo García Cantú & Walther, Carsten & Kropp, Jürgen P., 2016. "City density and CO2 efficiency," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 91(C), pages 352-361.
    7. Li, Zhihui & Deng, Xiangzheng & Peng, Lu, 2020. "Uncovering trajectories and impact factors of CO2 emissions: A sectoral and spatially disaggregated revisit in Beijing," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 158(C).
    8. Xiaobin Yang & Zhilong Chen & Hao Cai & Linjian Ma, 2014. "A Framework for Assessment of the Influence of China’s Urban Underground Space Developments on the Urban Microclimate," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 6(12), pages 1-31, November.
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