A Comparison of Convenience in Private Activities between Local City and Urban City

Focusing on Reachability with Consideration of Travel Time

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the livability of local cities, which differs from large cities in terms of the number of types of convenient facilities that can be reached in a certain travel time, by understanding private travel activities and comparing the percentage increase in the number of types of convenient facilities that can be reached in walking distance and in automobile distance. The results obtained in Tokyo Metropolis and Ibaraki Prefecture suggest that the use of automobiles significantly increases the number of types of convenient facilities that can be reached and satisfies the purpose of personal affairs. This is a characteristic of the convenience of living in local cities and thus implies that local cities with less variety in walking distance may not be considered less convenient.