Analysis of the effects of intra-urban spatial structures on carbon footprint of residents in Seoul, Korea

The purpose of this study is to analyze the effects of the net and gross population densities on carbon footprint of residents on an intra-urban scale in Seoul, South Korea. Path analysis was conducted to verify the effects based on the results of individual surveys of 500 sample households. The results indicate that the net and gross population densities decreased the carbon footprint of the residents while they have opposite impacts on job opportunities. Net population density decreased housing energy use only in winter and housing energy use contributed to a larger carbon footprint for residents in winter than in summer. This study provides some evidences of the spatial structure–carbon footprint relationship.

► This paper models the spatial–energy relationship on an intra-urban scale in Seoul, Korea.
► Net and gross population densities decreased the carbon footprint of the residents.
► Net and gross population densities had opposite relationships to job opportunities.
► Service accessibility, not job opportunities, reduced travel footprint of residents.
► Housing footprint contributed to carbon footprint more in winter than in summer.