Investigation of the Influence of Urban Compactness on Transportation: A Comparative Analysis of Average Commuting Duration and Velocity

Fan Wang, Yuan Cao, Zhen Wang, Junchen Li and Hongmei Xu ()
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Fan Wang: School of Tourism Management, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, China
Yuan Cao: School of Tourism Management, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, China
Zhen Wang: School of Tourism Management, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, China
Junchen Li: School of Tourism Management, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, China
Hongmei Xu: School of Tourism Management, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, China

Land, 2025, vol. 14, issue 10, 1-16

Abstract: Compact urban land use planning and smart growth are essential strategies for tackling the issues of sustainable urban transportation development. In the context of swift global urbanization, examining the intrinsic relationship between urban spatial structure and transport systems might furnish a measurable foundation for urban planning decisions. This study utilizes various data sources, including Chinese city compactness and the Didi traffic index, to integrate exploratory spatial analysis and regression analysis methods. It examines the influence of city compactness on urban transportation by comparing average commuting time and speed relative to city compactness. The following findings are derived: The compactness of Chinese cities demonstrates notable regional differentiation, with western cities expanding uniformly and efficiently, whereas eastern cities display multi-centered, differentiated development in their spatial structures. Furthermore, Chinese cities exhibit a pronounced high-value agglomeration in commuting patterns, where major cities are characterized by high speeds and extended durations. The study reveals that city compactness creates a “concentration paradox” in commuting efficiency, which may reduce commuting distances but significantly decreases speed and extends travel time. The solution to this conflict is to prioritize the enhancement of public transport systems, as the increase in passenger volume is strongly positively connected with improved commuting speed and reduced commuting time. These findings offer a crucial scientific foundation for developing diverse regional spatial plans and transport development strategies.

Keywords: urban compactness; commuting speed; commuting time; urban spatial structure (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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