PhD defence: Built environment transformation for the transport energy transition

This thesis aimed to answer the following central research question: what type of built environment design can best support the energy transition in the passenger transport sector? 

The results showed that the density in the walking range of residents had most effect on energy-relevant travel behavior. The most important mechanism was the reduction in travel distances in urban environments. Policy should thus focus on creating neighborhoods that are not just dense, but also self-sufficient. 

The increased use of public and active modes by urban residents was relevant as well. Yet, the car remained the dominant mode in inner city areas. Residents of non-green (urban areas) with few private parking spots owned somewhat more efficient cars. The indirect impact of urban environments on energy-relevant travel behavior through reduced car ownership was surprisingly limited. 

In total, urban planning was found to reduce transport energy consumption by approximately 0.5%/year. This means that The Netherlands’ total travel CO2 emissions can be reduced by 10% before 2050 (order-of-magnitude). 

Further analysis of resulting spatial patterns of (transport and domestic) energy costs showed that similar types of households face higher energy costs in remote rural areas. This pattern of energy vulnerability remained intact after correcting for lower rural housing prices and urban-rural differences in income. Urban planning and housing policy aimed at providing (city) social housing apartments may therefore help reduce the vulnerability of low-income households to high energy prices during the energy transition.