Urban growth and spatial planning are intricately connected with the analysis and planning of transportation and accessibility. In fact, the location of specific land uses and amenities directly affects the mobility of people and goods that flow between these locations. For instance, higher degrees of urbanity are associated with shorter travel times. Considering this, it becomes clear that urban development patterns directly influence travel times and access to essential services. On the other hand, the transportation options and specific accessibility of locations affect their desirability and thus future urban development through residents, businesses or developers wanting to locate in these locations.
This PhD project aims to understand and quantify the interactions between these two dimensions, focusing particularly on mobility. To this end, it will extend the existing GeoDynamiX model with a mobility module.
By clarifying how land use policies and mobility patterns interact, VITO aims at providing guidance on fostering sustainable daily travel for different socio-economic groups in Flanders. Furthermore, addressing mobility needs in the model will encourage a fairer and more inclusive approach to sustainable planning.
