Measuring negative synergies of urban sprawl and economic crisis over public transport efficiency: the case of Spain

Abstract

Sustainable urban mobility requires accessible and demand attractive public transport (PT) networks. However, urban sprawl has been the main characterizing growth pattern of European cities since 1950. In these increasingly dispersed cities, PT is facing increasing problems of efficiency to compete with cars. The sprawling cities are dominated by car use, especially in the peripheral areas. Moreover, Europe is still reeling under the financial crisis, which first hit the continent in 2007. In this context of economic crisis, the lack of financing resources and the declining demand for PT have further weakened the PT systems in European cities. This study considered the urban PT systems of six Spanish cities in order to determine their evolution over the last ten years. This evolution is examined in the backdrop of urban sprawl and economic crisis. The analysis is based on several indicators meant to measure PT demand, supply, and efficiency. The study shows how did each city react to the lack of resources and trip reduction during the economic crisis, by adopting different PT management strategies. The differences in reaction produced different results, but none of the cities could avoid the loss of PT efficiency. The results indicate that policy strategies need to include land use and transport measures to achieve more sustainable PT systems. Only integrated strategies could improve PT efficiency and quality levels and contribute toward increasing competitiveness of PT, even in adverse contexts.