Transportation and land use: Research priorities for Latin America and the Caribbean

Abstract

When analyzing transportation systems, it is essential to consider the close interactions with the activity system. Land use affects the social, economic and environmental dynamics of cities, which are reflected in mobility patterns. Mobility patterns, in turn, affect the spatial structure of transportation networks, which in turn affects the accessibility and, consequently, the location of activities. These interrelationships between land use and the transportation system, which influence urban dynamics, constitute a fundamental research topic that must be considered in the construction of sustainable cities and territories. This paper describes the current situation of land use planning in Latin America and the Caribbean and then identifies research priorities for transportation and land use in the region. The analysis is the result of an expert workshop promoted by the Inter-American Development Bank and the Pan-American Society of Transportation and Logistics Research aimed at building an agenda for decarbonizing transportation in Latin America. The research priorities fall into three broad areas: "Land Use Policy, Planning and Public Management," "Logistics Land Use," and "Informality and Land Use." For each research action identified, the document describes the time horizon, the level of priority, and the impact on decarbonization.