Technology Vs. Land Use

This academic article examines alternative strategies to reduce auto-related air pollution.

1 minute read

August 22, 2001, 6:00 AM PDT

By Chris Steins @planetizen


This paper evaluates the relative importance of land use changes versus technological solutions to reducing transport-related air pollution. It suggests that land use approaches have very little prospects of reducing emissions compared to technology. The ZEV (zero emissions vehicle) mandate was the wrong route to take, primarily because of the failure to solve the battery (hence the range) problem. However, it may have stimulated the automobile companies to focus their R & D more on alternative fuel vehicles. As a result, there are two hybrid (gasoline-electric) vehicles on the U.S. market in the year 2000, the Honda Insight and the Toyota Prius, with more to follow. In addition, SULEVS, such as the special versions of the Honda Accord and the Nissan Sentra-CA, are equally promising. These vehicles solve the range problem, and the power problem is getting close to solution. A key argument is that it may be easier to change vehicle preferences than residential location and dwelling type preferences, but incentives (e.g. emission fees on the popular SUVs) and other policy interventions may be needed.

Thanks to Planning & Markets Editor

Monday, August 20, 2001 in Planning and Markets

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I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

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