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Urban spatial structure and environmental emissions: a survey of the literature and some empirical evidence for Italian NUTS-3 regions

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  • Davide Burgalassi
  • Tommaso Luzzati

Abstract

This paper addresses the relationship between urban spatial structure and emissions.By surveying the most relevant literature, firstly we discuss the concept of spatial structure, focusing in particular on polycentricity and dispersion, then we summarise the possible links between spatial structure and emissions. The survey provides the framework to explore the empirical evidence for Italy concerning CO2 and PMs emissions originating from private transport and house heating. Results suggest that spatial structure affects CO2 emissions from private transport and PMs from housing emissions. There is no evidence that polycentricity reduces emissions

Suggested Citation

  • Davide Burgalassi & Tommaso Luzzati, 2015. "Urban spatial structure and environmental emissions: a survey of the literature and some empirical evidence for Italian NUTS-3 regions," Discussion Papers 2015/199, Dipartimento di Economia e Management (DEM), University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
    • Handle: RePEc:pie:dsedps:2015/199
    Note: ISSN 2039-1854
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    Cited by:

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    8. Liu Yang & Yuanqing Wang & Yujun Lian & Zhongming Guo & Yuanyuan Liu & Zhouhao Wu & Tieyue Zhang, 2022. "Key Factors, Planning Strategy and Policy for Low-Carbon Transport Development in Developing Cities of China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(21), pages 1-14, October.
    9. Zhang, Bin & Xin, Qingyao & Chen, Siyuan & Yang, Zhiying & Wang, Zhaohua, 2024. "Urban spatial structure and commuting-related carbon emissions in China: Do monocentric cities emit more?," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 186(C).
    10. Wei Xiao & Wenhua Liu & Chunzhi Li, 2022. "Can the urban spatial structure accelerate urban employment growth? Evidence from China," Growth and Change, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 53(4), pages 1668-1693, December.
    11. Huan Zhang, 2021. "The Impact of Urban Sprawl on Environmental Pollution: Empirical Analysis from Large and Medium-Sized Cities of China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(16), pages 1-19, August.
    12. Zhuang, Zongwu & Han, Feng, 2024. "Urban spatial structure and firm growth: Evidence from China," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 145(C).
    13. Julián Moral-Carcedo, 2024. "Dissuasive effect of low emission zones on traffic: the case of Madrid Central," Transportation, Springer, vol. 51(1), pages 25-49, February.
    14. Cardoso, Rodrigo V. & Meijers, Evert J. & van Ham, Maarten & Burger, Martijn J. & de Vos, Duco, 2017. "The City as a Self-Help Book: The Psychology of Urban Promises," IZA Discussion Papers 10693, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    15. Dong Feng & Jian Li & Xintao Li & Zaisheng Zhang, 2019. "The Effects of Urban Sprawl and Industrial Agglomeration on Environmental Efficiency: Evidence from the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei Urban Agglomeration," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(11), pages 1-12, May.
    16. Mattia Bertin & Eugenia Vincenti, 2024. "Eco-Zip: Climate-Proofing an International Logistic Hub," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(5), pages 1-20, March.
    17. Age Poom & Rein Ahas, 2016. "How Does the Environmental Load of Household Consumption Depend on Residential Location?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(9), pages 1-18, August.
    18. Yuxin Liu & Chenjing Fan & Dongdong Xue, 2024. "A Review of the Effects of Urban and Green Space Forms on the Carbon Budget Using a Landscape Sustainability Framework," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(5), pages 1-29, February.
    19. Jin, Yushan & Xu, Yuanshuo, 2024. "Carbon reduction of urban form strategies: Regional heterogeneity in Yangtze River Delta, China," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 141(C).
    20. Rodrigo Cardoso & Evert Meijers & Maarten van Ham & Martijn Burger & Duco de Vos, 2019. "Why bright city lights dazzle and illuminate: A cognitive science approach to urban promises," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 56(2), pages 452-470, February.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Urban spatial structure; polycentricity; urban sprawl; emissions; road transport; residential heating.;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • R12 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics - - - Size and Spatial Distributions of Regional Economic Activity; Interregional Trade (economic geography)
    • R14 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics - - - Land Use Patterns
    • Q53 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Air Pollution; Water Pollution; Noise; Hazardous Waste; Solid Waste; Recycling

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