TOWARDS THE SUSTAINABLE CITY: THE IMPACT OF LAND USE-TRANSPORT INTERACTIONS

This paper outlines the objectives, rationale and initial results of a major study into the effects of accessibility and environmental quality on individual's and firms' location decisions, and how such findings can enhance strategic land use transport modelling of urban areas. In the study, the improved model is then used to forecast how transport policy can affect location choice, and to assess the implications on objectives. The paper opens with a discussion of factors contributing to urban development, and a rationale for the closer alignment of land use and transport planning. The objectives of sustainability are clarified, focusing upon the urban problems of the study area (Edinburgh and Lothian region). It is argued that sustainable planning requires combined analysis of land use and transport, but that our understanding of some of the responses is limited. To address this issue, the project is initially concerned with obtaining better data on the importance of transport related factors in residential and business location choice, using stated preference surveys which are outlined in more detail in a companion paper. A method is described for applying the outputs of this analysis into parameters suitable for a newly developed strategic land use transport model, DELTA/START. A series of transport policies and varying land use scenarios were tested using the model, and the results of this are presented and compared to past model runs implemented for the study area. Conclusions are drawn on the strategic effects of transport policy and land use through changes in both accessibility and environmental quality, and on the impact of these effects on the performance of selected transport and land use strategies. For the covering abstract, see IRRD 898930.