This project investigates the effect of households’ aversion to local air pollution exposure in residential choice on urban structure. It focuses on how different urban policies can reduce exposure to traffic-induced air pollution and related spatial equity concerns. It highlights the importance of understanding households’ preferences and their effect on urban structures for policy design, balancing health, environmental, social and equity concerns arising from local traffic-induced air pollution.
Simulations of our urban economics model with endogenized local pollution suggest that tackling exposure concerns requires measures to achieve steep density gradients near the city fringe but at gradients near the centre; tackling spatial equity concerns requires compensatory measures from peripheral households.
Related publications
Schindler, M. (2016). Spatial modelling of feedback effects between urban structure and traffic-induced air pollution – insights from quantitative geography and urban economics. PhD dissertation, University of Luxembourg, Luxembourg.
Schindler, M. and Caruso, G. (2021). Urban interventions to reduce pollution exposure and improve spatial equity. Geographical Analysis, 0. DOI 10.1111/gean.12288.