Containing urban sprawl: An integrated improvement of space-tranport strategies to reduce air pollution emission

Diverse effective strategies have been designed to minimize the phenomenon of urban sprawl. Previous research focused on the link between spatial and transport development strategies to achieve this goal, with the intention of increasing mobility, reducing commuting time and travel costs. However, a side effect of urban sprawl is an increase of air pollution. Higher pollution levels result in higher costs for road users. To reduce these costs, improvement in public transport linked to urban development is an essential factor in limiting air pollution emission. Current research is insufficient to demonstrate the effects of urban sprawl on air pollution emission. This paper examines the extent to which an integrated approach to space-transport development strategies is able to reduce air pollution emission. The analysis includes the effect of different improvement of public transport (PT) and spatial alternatives on the load of air pollution A pro-active approach is applied for a potential viable up to 2030. By examining the alternative strategies, the intention is to reduce travel costs together with decreasing the load of air pollution emission. This research proposes the improvement of public transport (PT) by planning a combination of Mass Rapid Transit ((MRT), Light Rapid Transit, Bus rapid Transit and feeder systems. In addition, a structure of compact zones is designed as urban spatial strategy alternatives. The conclusions indicate that firstly, the improvement of PT (a combination of Mass Rapid Transit (MRT), Light Rapid Transit, Bus rapid Transit and feeder systems) has an effect on the reduction of air pollution load compared to the current PT situation (minibuses and buses). Secondly, the spatial planning with compact zone does not show a significant decrease in determining the load of air pollution. Its substantially reduction is achieved with the design of improvement of PT systems. The best option for reducing commuting costs and air pollution, the implementation of the improvement of PT systems alternative, is then recommended