Do emission reduction targets limit our shopping alternatives? An accessibility case study of two Swedish shopping centres with CO2 as a travel cost indicator

Abstract: This thesis analyses how the location of peripheral shopping centres impact accessibility from a CO2 emissions point-of-view, and how analyses can affect future decisions on localisation of facilities. Different accessibility measures are presented to find a feasible measure. The foundation of the analysis is a case study of two shopping centres in southern Sweden, using GIS software. To perform the analysis, a contour measure is used with different CO2 thresholds based on today’s national emission levels and future emission targets. Emission factors are used based on each mode’s characteristics. The results of the study show that the most CO2 accessible modes of transport are bus and train, but they suffer from the public network coarseness. The accessibility index depends on the location of the shopping centre, but also of the surrounding population and its density. The emission-based accessibility analysis can be a tool for sustainable future institution localisation. The report shows that both housing and service facilities should be developed around railway nodes to increase accessibility. The public transport system should be further expanded from an emission accessibility point-of-view.