Residential self-selection and travel mode use in a new inner-city development neighbourhood in Berlin

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to analyse the effects of residential and travel preferences on mode use in a new inner-city development in Berlin. In contrast to the majority of related studies, we consider these preferences in a more holistic way by grouping residents into clusters. The kind of inner-city neighbourhood we studied particularly attracts families and couples who are affluent and have high levels of car ownership. However, a comparison of residents' mode choice with that of the general population of inner and outer Berlin shows that this kind of inner-city neighbourhood encourages even those households who are known to prefer driving to use modes other than the car. Moreover, we found variety in mode use which could be traced to the variation in reasons for residential choice (as an outcome of residential and travel preferences). This underlines the fact that preferences have a strong effect on travel behaviour, even in a homogeneous neighbourhood. Overall, the study suggests that new inner-city development neighbourhoods with a variety of housing types provide opportunities for sustainable daily mobility. At the same time the study area could have been better adapted to the various preferences of its future residents – for example, by reducing the number of parking spaces to further stimulate use of sustainable modes of transport.