Automobile dependency has negative implications for wellbeing. This academic study finds that relying on a car for more than 50 percent of out-of-home travel is associated with significant reductions in life satisfaction.
How does daily travel activity affect people's wellbeing. The study, Does Car Dependence Make People Unsatisfied With Life? Evidence From a U.S. National Survey, uses data from a national survey to explore how transportation affects life satisfaction.
The results indicate that beyond a certain point, increases in car dependence reduce people’s satisfaction with life. It finds that relying on cars for more than 50 percent of out-of-home trips is associated with significant reductions in self-reported life satisfaction. These findings suggest that planners and decision-makers should promote multimodality and land use patterns that may help to reduce car dependence and its potential negative effect on subjective wellbeing (SWB).
FULL STORY: Does Car Dependence Make People Unsatisfied With Life? Evidence From a U.S. National Survey
Preparing Transportation Systems for the ‘Silver Tsunami’
More Americans than ever will age beyond their safe ability to drive. How will they meet their mobility needs in a car-centric society?
Report Highlights Economic Benefits of Reducing Car Dependence
Encouraging Americans to drive less — and supporting cities where it’s possible to do so — could save the country trillions more than just electrifying the transportation sector.
How Car Dependency Impacts People With Disabilities
People who are physically unable to drive can benefit from effective public transit systems and accessible, mixed-use neighborhoods.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Restaurant Patios Were a Pandemic Win — Why Were They so Hard to Keep?
Social distancing requirements and changes in travel patterns prompted cities to pilot new uses for street and sidewalk space. Then it got complicated.
Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.
In California Battle of Housing vs. Environment, Housing Just Won
A new state law significantly limits the power of CEQA, an environmental review law that served as a powerful tool for blocking new development.
Boulder Eliminates Parking Minimums Citywide
Officials estimate the cost of building a single underground parking space at up to $100,000.
Orange County, Florida Adopts Largest US “Sprawl Repair” Code
The ‘Orange Code’ seeks to rectify decades of sprawl-inducing, car-oriented development.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
Custer County Colorado
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont
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