Urban Structure Matters looks at the links between travel behavior and urban structure. Previous work in this area has often focused on recording current travel and using that as a basis to plan infrastructure and has been criticized for ignoring a possible causal relationship between the two. In this book Petter Naess uses new research from Denmark to establish whether the design and planning of urban structure actually affects peoples travel behavior.
The main case study is based in the Copenhagen Metropolitan area and goes beyond the scope of previous investigations into the relationships between urban land use and travel. The traditional quantitative travel survey approach has been combined with qualitative interviews in order to identify the more detailed mechanisms through which urban structure affects travel behavior. Relationales for location of activities and modal choice make up important links in these mechanisms. The statistical analyses include a broader range of urban structural, socioeconomic and attitudinal variable than in any previous study. Difference between population groups in the way urban structure affects travel behavior have also been investigated, as well as changes after moving from one residence to another.
The author compares the findings of the Copenhagen area study to other studies carried out in the Nordic countries, and looks at them in the light of relevant theories and the general literature on the topic. In the final part, principles for a less auto-oriented and transport-demanding urban development are discussed against a broader range of criteria for sustainable development.