Tackling concerns over urban sprawl

The uncontrolled spread of urban development is leading to high levels of emissions and energy consumption. Mitigation strategies and policy measures are urgently needed to tackle this unsustainable growth. However, data is lacking regarding this intensification of mobility and transport in residential areas outside of cities. This is a necessary first step in dealing with the negative consequences of urban sprawl.

Thanks to EU funding, the 'Trends in city expansion and transport: The non-sustainability of exurbia' (TENSE) project examined demographic and transport trends in the outskirts of London, New York, Paris and Tokyo. Overall, the aims were to supply much-needed research on transport shifts and outward urban growth and to assess total transport energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. It also addressed policies that could potentially slow unnecessary sprawl.

Project partners began by taking stock of the planning history and policy of regions outside London and New York suburbs in relation to their respective transport systems. Findings show that in New York cars are used to get around more often than in London.

A study was carried out to supply new data on population, employment, transport movement and car ownership in the four major cities. It also measured overall transport energy consumption and carbon emissions.

Results reveal that the per capita car use and emissions are more than double in London's urban fringe compared to its core. Similarly, the residential areas outside of New York are four times more dependent on cars than urban regions. All outcomes were then contrasted with existing regional demographic and transport data in Europe.

TENSE demonstrated that the four cities are in fact growing inward rather than outward, as was originally believed. Future legislation and measures aimed at setting emissions and energy reduction targets in Europe and around the world will need to take into account these contradictory outcomes. Transport and regional planning policies will also need to address the car as the predominant mode of transport.