Influence of the built environment on sustainable trips: the case of Niterói, Brazil

Abstract

Various studies have found that accessibility conditions, especially for non-motorised trips, can be more effective if solutions involving the built environment are considered. These studies reveal that the dimensions of the constructed space, such as dense, diverse and connected land use, can increase the potential for sustainable trips. To observe that influence, this paper reports the results of a survey conducted among residents of 24 condominiums in three districts of the city of Niterói, Brazil, to measure the index proposed by Grieco et al. This application intends to estimate the potential of the built environment of each area to stimulate the generation of sustainable trips and compares this with the overall trip-generation rates. The results show that the estimates of the index correspond to the patterns of sustainable trips, represented by the percentage of trips made on foot or by public transportation in relation to total trips. The empirical results also indicate that: (a) the built environment was more influential than income level in generating sustainable trips and (b) the built environment with lowest potential to promote walking generated more than four extra daily trips by car per residential unit than in the other two districts.