'Compact' or 'Sprawl' for sustainable urban form? Measuring the effect on travel behavior in Korea

This paper measures and identifies the effects of urban form on travel behavior in Korea. The characteristics of urban form include urban size, density, distribution and clustering. Using cluster analysis, urban form in Korea is categorized into two groups: group 1 (i.e., large-sized, high-density, equally distributed and highly clustered areas) and group 2 (i.e., small-sized, low-density, unequally distributed and highly dispersed areas). The results showed that the large-sized, high-density, unequally distributed and dispersed pattern is a relevant strategy for both groups to minimize vehicle kilometers traveled (VKT) per capita. For group 1, increasing the average travel distance may be an efficient strategy to reduce the number of automobile trips. For group 2, however, decreasing the average travel distance may be a more efficient strategy. Previous recommendations for a so-called compact urban form require more validation before adoption in Korea. Different strategies are required for areas that show different characteristics in order to reduce VKT. It is important that planners and policy decision makers understand the relevant implications of urban form on travel behavior and energy use in order to implement spatial urban developments aimed at sustainability.