The paradox of intensification

Melia, Steve; Parkhurst, Graham; Barton, Hugh

Abstract

Urban intensification as part of a smart growth strategy can facilitate low-energy transport modes and reduce overall car use, with benefits to the global environment, but evidence suggests the effect will be less than proportional. Hence, in locations where intensification occurs, greater concentrations of traffic tend to occur, and this worsens local environmental conditions. This phenomenon is defined below as the 'paradox of intensification'. The consequent challenges for planners and policymakers, which arise, are considered. The analysis suggests that a compromise involving limited intensification would merely redistribute the balance between the two sets of problems: global and local. It is concluded that urban intensification should be accompanied by more radical measures to constrain traffic generation within intensified areas. © 2010 Elsevier Ltd.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: Jan 1, 2011
• Deposit Date: Aug 27, 2010
• Publicly Available Date: Feb 16, 2016
• Journal: Transport Policy
• Print ISSN: 0967-070X
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 18
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 46-52
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tranpol.2010.05.007
• Keywords: urban intensification, density, car use, parking standards, environmental quality
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/966337
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tranpol.2010.05.007
• Contract Date: Feb 16, 2016