The study found that compact cities, characterized by high density, mixed land use, and efficient public transportation, produce significantly lower carbon emissions.
“Contrary to what we might initially think, more compact cities encourage more environmentally friendly behaviors such as walking and the use of public transit, reducing reliance on cars and cutting down on overall travel distances,” says Prof. Jung.
In contrast, sprawling cities with low-density developments and poor land use mix showed the highest carbon emissions, largely due to greater dependence on automobiles and longer travel distances.