Evaluating automobile effects on the socio-economic–natural complex ecosystem in Beijing

Abstract

China is facing an increasing challenge from the degeneration of natural resources and environmental pollution caused by rapid industrialisation and urbanisation. The rapid growth of urban automobiles has greatly benefited citizens' lives; however, it has had several negative impacts. To systemically assess the effects of automobiles on the urban ecosystem, an evaluating measure is proposed based on cost analyses of the socio-economic–natural complex ecosystem (SENCE). The cost evaluation includes natural, social and economic costs. The natural cost is from air and noise pollution; the social cost includes safety, congestion and health impacts; and the economic cost is urban residents' consumption of automobiles. The results for Beijing show that the ecological cost of automobiles in 2004 was 21.881 billion Yuan, accounting for 3.61% of Beijing's GDP. Some suggestions are put forward based on these analyses, such as determining development strategies for automobiles according to the carrying capacity of the SENCE, reasonably controlling the growth of urban automobiles and developing an efficient rail transportation system.

Keywords:

• AUTOMOBILE
• ECOLOGICAL COST
• SOCIAL COST
• NATURAL COST
• ECONOMIC COST