Retail mobility environments and urban dispersion: A comparative study of three european urban areas

Abstract

Objective This paper addresses the study of the relationships between non-motorised accessibility to retail and urban sprawl by comparing three European urban areas: Copenhagen (Denmark), Dusseldorf (Germany) and Valencia (Spain). Methodology Four different “Retail Mobility Environments” in each of the abovementioned urban areas have been identified and spatially located, analyzing its relationships with urban sprawl levels. Conclusions The obtained results gain insights into the importance of discussing the non-motorized accessibility to retail activity as an essential part of the urban sprawl process, as well as shedding new light on the dichotomy between compact vs dispersed growth. Originality Urban sprawl transversally affects to sectorial issues, such as the environment, the urban structure and people lifestyle. Most of the studies carried out focus the attention on the effects of urban sprawl on motorized transport, accessibility to jobs, the impact on the landscape or the consumption of land. However, there is limited knowledge about the relationship between the non-motorized accessibility to retail activity and urban sprawl.