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- Title
Landscape Pattern and Car Use: Evidence Linking Satellite Imagery and Household Data in Germany.
- Authors
Keller, Rose H.; Vance, Colin
- Abstract
Key to addressing issues of sustainable land-use and transportation is gaining insight into the macro processes of ecosystems' link to micro-level decisions of transportation and how these in turn alter the influence of landscape. Researchers striving toward this goal have employed the use of geo-referenced demographic data and particular landscape-characteristics variables to model transportation behavior and assess the environmental impact of such behavior. Following the evidence brought forth by Cervero (2003a, 200b, 2006) and Ewing (2001, 2011), this paper extends this inquiry of quantifying landscape pattern to predict automobile use by drawing on satellite data; providing greater variation and accuracy of household spatial profiles. Furthermore, because choices about land development tend to have long-lasting impacts that span over decades, understanding the magnitude of this influence is critical to the design of policies to reduce emissions and other negative externalities associated with car use. Combining household survey data from Germany with satellite imagery and other geo-referenced data sources, we address this topic with an econometric analysis of the relation between landscape pattern and automobile dependency. Specifically, we employ a two-part model to investigate two dimensions of car use, the discrete decision to own a car and, conditional upon ownership, the continuous decision of how far to drive. Results indicate that landscape pattern, as captured by measures of both land cover (i.e., the extent of open space, landscape diversity) and land use (i.e., the density and composition of regional businesses) are important predictors of car ownership and use. Other policy-relevant variables, such as fuel prices and public transit infrastructure, are also identified as important correlates. Based on the magnitude of our estimates, we conclude that carefully considered land-development measures, ones that encourage dense development and mixed use, can have beneficial impacts in reducing car dependency that extend far into the future.
- Subjects
DEMOGRAPHY; LANDSCAPES; AUTOMOBILES
- Publication
Yearbook of the Association of Pacific Coast Geographers, 2013, Vol 75, p203
- ISSN
0066-9628
- Publication type
Abstract