Sustainable city design concept with green spaces and interconnected street network.

Rethinking City Streets: Can Better Design Cut Greenhouse Gas Emissions?

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Lena Voss in Climate & Environment June 2025 • 4 min read.

"A worldwide study reveals how urban street networks impact transport emissions and offers crucial insights for sustainable urban planning in the face of climate change."


Our planet is facing a climate crisis, marked by rising temperatures and increasingly unpredictable weather events. From devastating floods to prolonged droughts, the consequences of climate change are impacting human lives across the globe. Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are a primary driver, and a significant portion comes from transportation. As cities grow and car dependence increases, understanding and addressing transport-related emissions becomes crucial for a sustainable future.

Sustainable urbanization calls for actionable strategies that city planners can implement. The relationship between urban design, particularly street networks, and transport emissions has become an important area of study. Factors like street length, straightness, and intersection density play a role, but existing research often focuses on specific regions or cities, making it difficult to apply findings broadly. A consistent global perspective has been missing – until now.

This article explores a groundbreaking study that examines the link between street network design and transport-related carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions across urban areas worldwide. By investigating patterns across different development levels and urban design approaches, this research provides critical insights for planners and policymakers striving to create greener, more sustainable cities.

The Global Street Network: What the Research Reveals

Sustainable city design concept with green spaces and interconnected street network.

A comprehensive study has shed light on the connection between urban street design and CO2 emissions from transportation. Analyzing data from cities around the world, researchers have identified key characteristics of street networks that are associated with lower transport emissions. The findings point towards the importance of thoughtful urban planning in reducing the carbon footprint of our cities.

The study found that street networks that are straighter, more connected, and less overbuilt tend to have lower transport emissions. This suggests that the layout of streets can significantly influence how people travel and how much pollution is generated. However, the research also reveals that these relationships aren't uniform across all cities. They vary depending on development levels and established urban design principles.

  • Straight Streets: Straighter roads generally mean more efficient travel, reducing the distance vehicles need to cover.
  • Connected Networks: Well-connected street grids offer multiple route options, preventing congestion and promoting smoother traffic flow.
  • Less Overbuilt: Avoiding excessive road construction can encourage alternative modes of transportation and reduce reliance on cars.
These findings highlight the need for a nuanced approach to urban planning, considering the unique characteristics of each city and region. While general principles can guide sustainable design, it's crucial to tailor strategies to local contexts. This study is particularly valuable for planners in rapidly urbanizing regions, especially in the Global South, where evidence-based practices are urgently needed.

Designing a Greener Future: The Path Forward

The link between street network design and transport emissions provides a powerful opportunity to create more sustainable and livable cities. By prioritizing well-connected, efficient street layouts, planners can reduce reliance on cars, promote alternative transportation, and lower greenhouse gas emissions. As cities continue to grow and evolve, embracing evidence-based urban design principles is essential for building a healthier planet for future generations.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

Everything You Need To Know

1

What is the primary focus of the study regarding urban design and its impact?

The primary focus of the study is to examine the connection between urban street network design and transport-related carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions across urban areas worldwide. It investigates how factors such as street length, straightness, and intersection density influence emissions, aiming to provide insights for sustainable urban planning.

2

How do street networks influence transport emissions, according to the research?

The research indicates that street networks which are straighter, more connected, and less overbuilt tend to have lower transport emissions. Straighter roads reduce travel distance, connected networks prevent congestion by offering multiple route options, and less overbuilt infrastructure encourages alternative transportation methods.

3

Why is understanding the relationship between street design and emissions crucial for sustainable urban planning?

Understanding this relationship is crucial because transport-related greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are a significant contributor to climate change. As cities grow and car dependence increases, optimizing street network design becomes essential for reducing the carbon footprint of urban areas. By prioritizing well-connected, efficient street layouts, planners can reduce reliance on cars, promote alternative transportation, and lower greenhouse gas emissions, thus contributing to a more sustainable future.

4

What are the key characteristics of street networks associated with lower transport emissions, as identified by the study?

The study identifies three key characteristics: straight streets, connected networks, and less overbuilt infrastructure. Straighter streets allow for more efficient travel by reducing the distances vehicles need to cover. Connected networks, offering multiple route options, help prevent congestion and promote smoother traffic flow. Avoiding excessive road construction, or less overbuilt areas, encourages the use of alternative modes of transportation and reduces reliance on cars.

5

How can city planners apply the findings of this study to create more sustainable cities, and what are the implications?

City planners can apply the findings by prioritizing street designs that are straighter, more connected, and less overbuilt. This involves carefully planning road layouts to minimize distances, provide multiple route options, and avoid unnecessary road construction. The implications are significant, including reduced reliance on cars, promotion of alternative transportation methods, and a decrease in greenhouse gas emissions. This leads to more sustainable and livable cities, contributing to a healthier planet for future generations, particularly in rapidly urbanizing regions where evidence-based practices are urgently needed.

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