City street transforming into a green landscape

Urban Sprawl SOS: How Street Design Can Rescue Our Climate

Theo Raines in Climate & Environment December 2025 • 4 min read.

"Unlocking the secrets of street networks to combat greenhouse gas emissions worldwide."

Our planet is facing a climate emergency. As temperatures rise and extreme weather events become increasingly common, it's clear that urgent action is needed. A major culprit? Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, with a significant portion stemming from transportation. As urbanization accelerates and our dependence on cars grows, understanding and mitigating these emissions becomes paramount.

For years, researchers have been exploring the connection between urban design, especially street networks, and transportation emissions. But most studies have focused on specific regions or a limited number of cities, making it difficult to generalize findings and apply them globally. This is a problem because what works in one city might not work in another due to differences in development, culture, and local conditions.

Now, a groundbreaking study is changing the game. Researchers have analyzed street network characteristics and transport-sector carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions across urban areas worldwide. The goal? To uncover universal patterns and understand how these relationships vary across different development levels and urban design approaches. The findings offer critical insights for planners and policymakers striving to build more sustainable cities.

The Surprising Link Between Street Design and Emissions

City street transforming into a green landscape

The study reveals some fascinating trends. Globally, cities with straighter, more connected street networks tend to have lower transport emissions. This means that a well-connected grid system, where it's easy to travel between points, is more efficient than sprawling, disconnected layouts.

However, it's not that simple. The researchers found that these relationships vary significantly depending on a city's development level and its underlying urban design paradigm. What works in a developed nation might not be effective in a rapidly urbanizing area in the Global South. This highlights the need for tailored solutions that consider local contexts.

Here's a breakdown of the key findings:

Connectivity Counts: Higher street network connectivity (more intersections and connections) is generally linked to lower emissions.
Straight is Efficient: Straighter streets tend to reduce emissions compared to winding, circuitous routes.
Density Matters: Greater street length per capita, often associated with sprawl, is linked to higher emissions.
Context is Key: The impact of these factors varies depending on the region and the type of urban design.

The researchers identified six distinct urban design paradigms around the world:

Modernist Superblocks: Characterized by large blocks and wide streets, common in China and post-Soviet countries.
Low-Density Deformed Grids: Found in many modern Western cities, featuring a less rigid grid pattern.
High-Density Networks with Dead Ends: Prevalent in India and other less-developed countries, with dense streets but limited connectivity.
Medium-Density Deformed Grids: Often seen in Mediterranean and Latin American cities, balancing density and grid structure.
Circuitous Networks with T-Intersections: Common in older European cities and their former colonies, featuring winding streets and limited intersection types.
High-Density Grids: Prominent in less-developed countries, with very dense and interconnected street networks.

Building a Greener Future, One Street at a Time

This research underscores the critical role of urban planning in addressing climate change. By understanding the relationship between street design and transportation emissions, planners can make informed decisions that promote sustainability and reduce our carbon footprint. The key takeaway? There's no one-size-fits-all solution. Effective strategies must be tailored to the specific context of each city, considering its development level, urban design paradigm, and local needs.

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.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1016/j.trd.2023.103961,

Title: Urban Street Network Design And Transport-Related Greenhouse Gas Emissions Around The World

Subject: physics.soc-ph econ.gn physics.ao-ph q-fin.ec stat.ap

Authors: Geoff Boeing, Clemens Pilgram, Yougeng Lu

Published: 02-01-2024

Everything You Need To Know

How can urban street design impact global greenhouse gas emissions?

Urban street design significantly influences transport-related greenhouse gas emissions. Cities with well-connected street networks, such as those arranged in grid systems, generally exhibit lower emissions compared to sprawling, disconnected layouts. This is because efficient street networks reduce travel distances and promote smoother traffic flow, minimizing fuel consumption and emissions. However, the effectiveness of specific designs varies based on a city's development level and urban design paradigm, necessitating tailored approaches for optimal results.

What are some key characteristics of street networks that influence transport emissions?

Several key characteristics of street networks influence transport emissions. Higher street network connectivity, characterized by more intersections and connections, is generally linked to lower emissions. Straighter streets tend to reduce emissions compared to winding routes. Conversely, greater street length per capita, often associated with urban sprawl, is linked to higher emissions. These factors interact differently depending on the region and the specific urban design paradigm in place.

What are the six urban design paradigms identified in urban areas worldwide, and how do they differ?

The six urban design paradigms identified are Modernist Superblocks (large blocks, wide streets), Low-Density Deformed Grids (less rigid grid pattern), High-Density Networks with Dead Ends (dense streets, limited connectivity), Medium-Density Deformed Grids (balancing density and grid structure), Circuitous Networks with T-Intersections (winding streets, limited intersection types), and High-Density Grids (very dense, interconnected streets). These paradigms differ significantly in street connectivity, density, and overall layout, leading to variations in transport efficiency and emissions. For example, Modernist Superblocks, common in China, contrast sharply with the Circuitous Networks found in many older European cities.

Why is it important to consider a city's development level and urban design paradigm when implementing street design strategies to reduce emissions?

Considering a city's development level and urban design paradigm is crucial because the relationship between street design and transport emissions varies significantly. What works in a developed nation with a Low-Density Deformed Grid might not be effective in a rapidly urbanizing area with High-Density Networks with Dead Ends. Tailored solutions are necessary to address specific local contexts and ensure that strategies align with existing infrastructure, cultural norms, and developmental priorities. Ignoring these factors can lead to ineffective or even counterproductive outcomes.

How can urban planners use research on street design and transport emissions to build more sustainable cities?

Urban planners can use research findings to make informed decisions about street design that promote sustainability and reduce carbon footprints. By understanding the link between street network characteristics and transport emissions, planners can prioritize strategies such as increasing street connectivity, promoting straighter routes, and managing urban sprawl. It is vital to tailor these strategies to the specific context of each city, considering its development level and urban design paradigm. Additionally, planners can integrate these insights into broader urban development plans, encouraging mixed-use developments, promoting public transportation, and creating walkable, bike-friendly environments.