The Barbecue Effect: Urban Mobility and Leisure Travel

This lecture delves into the concept of the 'barbecue effect', a research avenue challenging the sustainability of urban mobility patterns. It explores the impact of urban form on travel behaviors, highlighting the shift towards more sustainable modes of transportation in denser urban areas. The discussion extends to the significance of leisure travel in contemporary societies, questioning the traditional association between urban density and sustainable mobility. The 'barbecue effect' is introduced as a phenomenon where residents of central urban areas engage in more leisure travel compared to those in suburban regions, potentially reshaping the understanding of urban form and mobility patterns. The lecture also raises intriguing research questions regarding the underlying mechanisms influencing travel choices, the extent of the 'barbecue effect' on urban virtues, and the possibilities of urban planning to mitigate excessive leisure travel.