Environmentalism, Urban Structure and Transport Choices

Abstract

The desirability of urban structures which favour either private automobiles or public transport is a contentious issue. A question relevant to this debate is the extent to which people can freely choose between alternative modes of transport. This article reports a study of people resident in the city of Brisbane. It compares the attitudes and travel behaviours of people concerned about the environment (members of the Rainbow Alliance), people less concerned about the environment (business people), and members of the general public. Its finding is that people who want to travel by car do so, while people who would prefer to travel by an alternative mode still make substantial use of automobiles. The implication is that urban structure does limit the range of choices available to people and that structural changes would probably be necessary if reductions in private automobile use are desired.

Keywords:

• environmentalism
• transport options
• travel patterns