View article

During the last decades, it has been increasingly noticed the need of the paradigm shift from transport to accessibility-based planning. In fact, reducing the need to travel by providing shorter distances, more choices in travel modes and making it easier and safer for people to access services and facilities, are several ways (amongst others) of reducing transport-related emissions. High accessible conditions are described by low daily distances through appropriate travel times in access to activities enabling urban development towards more sustainable and low carbon strategies. This paper focus accessibility as a core planning concept into municipal plans. Based on a Process of Measurement Conceptual Accessibility (PMAC), elementary contour accessibility measures and performance indicators are used to assess accessibility conditions at the city of Oporto, focused on the access from different basic needs of day-to-day life by public transport and walking modes. The main results highlight the importance of assessing accessibility in land use plans by relating population density before and after accessibility concerns be comprised.