« Cities and automobile dependence » revisité : les contrariétés de la densité

By the early nineties P. NEWMAN?s study on « Cities and Automobile Dependence » suggested a densification of urban fabrics in order to curb negative effects of motorization. In practice, densification is not easy to perform. Furthermore an analysis of various processes involved in both motorization and urbanization shows that positive effects of densification are more doubtful than supposed. Comparing NEWMAN?s strategy and a « laisser-faire » policy, the former does not appear to be always the best in terms of dependence reduction. In its conclusion, the article suggests alternative ways for curbing automobile dependence. Classification JEL : R41, R48, R52.<np pagenum="142"/>