Frontier Economics was commissioned by DfT to conduct a rapid evidence assessment into how different approaches to integrated land use and transport planning impact outcomes, to inform future housing, infrastructure and transport decisions with clearer guidance.

Reforming the planning systems is a key component of the Government’s mission to “kickstart economic growth” by raising living standards in every part of the UK. Against this backdrop the interaction between how land is developed and how people travel has become an increasingly important focus for policymakers.

Through a rapid evidence assessment of the literature evaluating the impact of different approaches, our work aims to facilitate improved decision-making by providing up-to-date evidence on the intended and unintended impacts of integrated land-use and transport planning.

Our key conclusions are:

• The integration of land use and transport planning has the potential to generate significant positive impacts. Our evidence review has found that integrated land use and transport planning, if implemented appropriately, can lead to reduced journey lengths, increased active travel, enhanced public transport performance, and economic gains from improved productivity and urban regeneration.
• Isolated interventions are unlikely to unlock the full spectrum of benefits. Instead, a coordinated set of actions, providing certainty to stakeholders about the level of commitment to a shared strategic vision, are far more likely to produce meaningful improvements in economic, environmental and social outcomes
• Robust governance frameworks are critical for successful integration. These frameworks are likely to be more effective where they overcome a range of barriers to effective integration including fragmented decision making, fiscal constraints and rigidity in existing practice

Click here to read our full report, ‘Impacts of integrated land-use and transport planning’ 

For further information please contact media@frontier-economics.com or call +44 (0) 20 7031 7000