ENERGY USE FOR TRANSPORTATION IN 22 NORDIC TOWNS

A multivariate study of 22 Nordic towns indicates that urban form vari ables have a significant influence on the inhabitants' average energy use for transportation. A high population density, particularly in the inner and central areas of the town, seems to be beneficial if the ai m is to reduce energy use. Towns with a high proportion of blue-collar workers use more energy for transportation than the average. This may in part be due to the frequent location of such workplaces in outer a reas with poor transit facilities. A number of socioeconomic variables , among others income, car ownership and fuel prices, were also invest igated. However, the influences on energy use from these variables wer e lower than the effects of the urban form variables.