Environment

Addressing the effects of transport systems on our natural resources and on our urban and rural areas

Transport interacts with the environment globally (think climate change) and locally (think noise and air quality) but it is easy to adopt too narrow an interpretation of the word in a transport context. If environment means "the world around us", then transport's influence is wider and deeper: it shapes our places in ways that are endlessly debated - the Ribblehead Viaduct is arguably now an accepted, perhaps essential element of the North Yorkshire landscape. Will the Viaduc de Millau in France be one day similarly absorbed? This fuller interpretation of the word means that we can move on from the typically adversarial relationship (transport development equals environmental harm) to a more nuanced understanding of the interaction, where the way in which people and things travel may in fact enhance the world around us.

Looking for an expert on transport and environment? Try Stephen Marshall or Helena Titheridge

Case Study: Adaptable Suburbs Adaptable Suburbs makes small suburban neighbourhoods visible to policymakers; provides new information and understanding on how to make places work better; and makes this knowledge available to local authority planners so it can be applied and used where it is needed. Read more >>

Case study: sustainable urban transport Research by The Bartlett School of Planning on sustainable transport  and its impacts has significantly influenced UK and international transport policy. Read more >>