Urban transport system, pollution, climate change and health — modelling future scenarios
The project is looking at the health impacts of urban form and transport, focusing on the influence of dense centres, innovative public transport options and their impacts on emissions and walkability under the influence of climate change.
A transition from motor vehicle transport to an active form of transport such as walking and cycling (which may include a transit trip) has proven health benefits. Decreased car use also decreases emissions that have health impacts. Together it is possible to develop a health rationale for adapting our cities to climate change. This project will develop a health module that can be used in scenario modelling exercises on transport, land use and climate scenarios. The project will address business as usual scenarios and sustainable transport scenarios. Potential case studies have been identified as Macquarie Park (Sydney), Knowledge Arc (Perth) and the Sydney CBD (George Street).
Objectives
- Identify and develop case studies of transport and land use interventions in Sydney and Perth which are relevant to climate change
- Estimate Health impacts of these scenarios, with a focus on air pollution and climate interactions, physical activity/obesity and travel behaviour/road safety
- Estimate health co-benefits of shift to active modes of travel
Published literature
- Newman, P., & Matan A. (2012) Human Mobility and Human Health. Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability. 4(4): 420-426
- Matan, A., Trubka, R., Newman, P. & Vardoulakis, S. (2012) Review of the Public Health and Productivity Benefits from Different Urban Transport and Related Land Use Options in Australia. Paper presented at the 5th Healthy Cities: Working Together to Achieve Livable Cities Conference, Geelong, 6-8 June. pp 65-85.
- Zarafu, M.E. (2012) A more sustainable transport future: the effectiveness of personal rapid transport in edge cities. Masters Thesis , University of Technology Sydney.
- Stocker, L., Newman P & Duggie J (2012) Climate Change and Perth (South Wester Australia) in Climate Change to Urban Metropolitan Planning in Australia and the US. Blakely E (Ed). Lincoln Institute of Land Policy, Washington D.C.
- Newman, P., & Scheurer, J., (2010) The Knowledge ARC Light Rail: A concept for delivering the next phase of public transport in Perth. Report
Research team
Professor Peter Newman (Project leader)- CUSP Institute, Curtin University
- National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, The Australian National University
- National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, The Australian National University
- The UK Health Protection Agency
- University Technology Sydney
- CUSP Institute, Curtin University
- Master of Built Environment (Research), University Technology Sydney
- PhD Candidate, CUSP Institute, Curtin University
- PhD Candidate, CUSP Institute, Curtin University