How does the spatial inequality of urban amenities impact the type of transport we use in cities?

What is it about?

In the context of implementing the Sustainable Development Goals by developing countries, it is a mechanism to reduce inequalities in all dimensions, especially the urban dimension. Our work evaluates the impact of inequity of urban facilities and land use on sustainable travel (public transport and non-motorised travel), taking as a case study the city of Santiago de Chile, which, due to its urban, demographic, and social characteristics, is a case study of international relevance.

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Photo by megh bhatt on Unsplash

Photo by megh bhatt on Unsplash

Why is it important?

The promise of sustainable urban development seeks to reduce spatial inequity in the distribution and provision of goods and services in cities. This is why the conception of the city, the way goods and services are distributed in space, and the configuration of land use determines the mobility dynamics and travel behaviour of its residents. This study can illuminate how to guide public policies to fulfil the promise of sustainable development. In the context of Chile, since the last decade, there has been progress in investments to improve urban equipment and transport infrastructure, mainly in the city of Santiago de Chile. These investments have meant progress in the multimodal transport system and improvements in the urban equipment of the city. However, as a result of the segregation of the city and spatial inequities in urban amenities, the most vulnerable segments of the population, located in the poorest communes, continue to experience urban inequalities and the negative externalities of the absence of mixed land use and transport management that are reflected in the travel behaviour of public transport users.

Perspectives