Article: Transportation, Land Use and the Environment
Dr. Jean-Paul Rodrigue asserts that the main impact of urbanization has been the proliferation of urban land use. As a result, he argues, the need for complex transport systems has become critical to facilitate transport systems. In order to accommodate industries, urban residents and the necessary infrastructural development, cities end up taking huge parcels of land. This means that these regions have to expand at a rather high rate as the duplication and generalization of infrastructure takes center stage. The author posits that the structure of urban land use has a critical consequence over transport demands. Furthermore, how the land is used will also determine the capacity of transportation systems to cater for the needs of the urban area. It is critical to realize that urban land use has a nexus to a number of externalities. Some of these land use externalities include economic, social and environmental costs.
The nexus between urban land use, urban transport system and the environment could not have been well articulated. Land use patterns especially with regard to urbanization are critical areas of development which deserve such attention. The article succinctly analyzes the main issues that are of concern not only to urban planners, but also to investors. This is a relevant document that seeks to bring to the attention of all stakeholders the weighty matter of urban planning. As result, meticulous planning will be put in place to ensure that all the externalities are internalized. Furthermore, the article also provides an instrumental foundation upon which further empirical research can be done to ascertain the significance of proper land use and planning.
Works Cited
Rodrigue, Jean-Paul. "Transportation, Land Use and the Environment." The Geoggraphy of Transport Systems. New York: Routledge, 2013. 415.
