The impact of compact cities on carbon emissions

The impact of compact cities on carbon emissions

Cities play an important role in greenhouse gas emissions. In recent years, ideas about sustainable urban development have evolved from the point of view of low-carbon cities, in which the concept of a ‘compact city’ has been proposed. After conducting a thorough literature review, I identified that previous studies have mainly concentrated on the definition, formation, characteristics, quantification, and policy evaluation of compact cities. But there is still a gap in the academic knowledge about how compact cities have impact on urban sustainability, especially on carbon emission reduction. The study will attach importance to policy-driven compact cities, combining literature review, case study and empirical research to examine the relationship and to clarify the impact mechanisms between various aspects of compact cities and carbon emissions.

Cities play an important role in greenhouse gas emissions. In recent years, ideas about sustainable urban development have evolved from the point of view of low-carbon cities, in which the concept of a ‘compact city’ has been proposed. After conducting a thorough literature review, I identified that previous studies have mainly concentrated on the definition, formation, characteristics, quantification, and policy evaluation of compact cities. But there is still a gap in the academic knowledge about how compact cities have impact on urban sustainability, especially on carbon emission reduction. The study will attach importance to policy-driven compact cities, combining literature review, case study and empirical research to examine the relationship and to clarify the impact mechanisms between various aspects of compact cities and carbon emissions.