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Spatial Structure and Urban Commuting

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  • Song, Shunfeng

Abstract

This paper examines the relationship between urban structure and commuting behavior. Analyzing the 1980 journey-to-work data for the Los Angeles region, this paper has shown that polycenteric density functions fit the actual urban structure better than the conventional monocentric model. This finding indicates the preeminence of accessibilty to major employment centers in location choices. This paper also estimates commute flows implied by the polycentric and monocentric functions. It finds the monocentric model very poor at explaining commuting behavior. The empirical results show that polycentric urban structure increases the urban commute. This finding helps to preserve the assumption that urban workers economize on commuting, and suggests that efforts to promote more efficient urban form, such as the jobs-housing balance policy, have the potential to succeed.

Suggested Citation

  • Song, Shunfeng, 1992. "Spatial Structure and Urban Commuting," University of California Transportation Center, Working Papers qt1962t3j6, University of California Transportation Center.
    • Handle: RePEc:cdl:uctcwp:qt1962t3j6
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    Cited by:

    1. Lara Engelfriet & Eric Koomen, 2018. "The impact of urban form on commuting in large Chinese cities," Transportation, Springer, vol. 45(5), pages 1269-1295, September.
    2. Manuel Suárez & Javier Delgado, 2009. "Is Mexico City Polycentric? A Trip Attraction Capacity Approach," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 46(10), pages 2187-2211, September.
    3. Josep Roca Cladera & Carlos R. Marmolejo Duarte & Montserrat Moix, 2009. "Urban Structure and Polycentrism: Towards a Redefinition of the Sub-centre Concept," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 46(13), pages 2841-2868, December.

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