Toward Accessibility-Based Planning

Problem, research strategy, and findings A growing consensus has formed among planners, especially planning scholars, that promoting accessibility is a major policy goal. However, efforts to promote accessibility-based face conceptual impediment: common assumption equates the benefits of travel cost savings (TCS). Starting from this assumption, many researchers have interpreted absence TCS (e.g., in commuting costs reductions vehicle miles traveled [VMT]) as evidence undermining rationale for accessibility-promoting strategies such jobs–housing balance transit-oriented development (TOD). In study I challenge these interpretations by suggesting improvements can result not only but also destination utility gains, which means individual satisfaction interacting with or choosing desirable destinations. The policies be explained gains manifesting gains. To analyze importance engage literatures economic geography behavior examine some recent urban trends rise city-to-suburb commuting). further estimate residential location choice models test whether households value beyond benefit TCS. Results Puget Sound (WA) Southeast Michigan regions support hypothesis, demonstrating shape decisions.Takeaway practice Planners should automatically interpret are working. advance planning, planners start explore measure various forms evaluation framework land use transportation shift being centered on alone based.