Commuting Trip Length and Spatial Proximity: Does the Compact City Play its Role?

Kobe Boussauw (1) , Tijs Neutens (2) , Frank Witlox (2)

1 Geography Department
2 Geography Department

In this paper, an assessment is made of the relationship between selected aspects of spatial proximity (density, diversity, minimum commuting distance, jobs-housing balance and job accessibility) and reported commuting distances in Flanders (Belgium). Results show that correlations may depend on the considered trip end. For example, a high residential density, a high degree of spatial diversity and a high level of job accessibility are all associated with a short commute by residents, while a high job density is associated with a long commute by employees. A jobs-housing balance close to one is associated with a short commute, both by residents and by employees. In general, it appears that the alleged sustainability benefits of the compact city model are still valid in a context of continuously expanding commuting trip lengths.

Mots clés: Social Sciences & Humanities

Kobe Boussauw, Tijs Neutens, Frank Witlox. Commuting Trip Length and Spatial Proximity: Does the Compact City Play its Role?. Regional Studies, 2010, pp.1. ⟨10.1080/00343404.2010.522986⟩. ⟨hal-00648527⟩