Urban and Regional Planning: A Spatial Analysis of Post-Pandemic Mobility and Green Corridor Integration for Sustainable City Resilience

Project Abstract

The post-pandemic urban mobility landscape has revealed critical gaps in multimodal transportation integration, equitable access, and the resilience of green infrastructure within rapidly urbanizing regions. This study investigates how spatial configurations of mobility networks and green corridors can be optimized to enhance sustainable city resilience in the face of systemic shocks, including health emergencies, climate events, and population growth. Employing a mixed-methods framework, the research combines GIS-based spatial analysis, network theory metrics, and a longitudinal case study of a metropolitan area undergoing rapid transformation. The quantitative component maps transit accessibility, non-motorized corridor density, street-scale green space, and air quality indicators across diverse neighborhoods to identify spatial disparities and corridor pinch points. Network analysis assesses the connectivity, redundancy, and catchment areas of transit lines, bike lanes, pedestrian paths, and greenways, revealing how intrinsic and induced accessibility patterns influence travel behavior, mode choice, and exposure to environmental risks. The qualitative component integrates stakeholder interviews and participatory mapping with residents, planners, and businesses to capture perceived barriers, safety concerns, and the social value of green corridors as buffers against urban heat islands and flood events. A scenario-based optimization model then synthesizes findings to propose an integrated mobility-green network (IMGN) that maximizes accessibility and climate resilience while minimizing resource costs. Key indicators include travel-time reliability, modal share shifts toward sustainable options, greenery-covered area per capita, noise and air pollution exposure, and equitable distribution of green and mobility benefits across socio-economic groups. The study identifies four core mechanisms by which green corridors contribute to resilience (1) dispersion and diversification of travel modes reducing transit vulnerability, (2) microclimate moderation and flood mitigation through vegetated buffers, (3) enhanced social cohesion and local economy via accessible public spaces, and (4) data-driven governance enabling adaptive planning under uncertainty. Results indicate that strategically located green corridors integrated with first- and last-mile transit facilities can substantially reduce peak-hour congestion, lower exposure to pollutants in vulnerable districts, and improve pedestrian and cyclist safety, especially in underserved neighborhoods. The IMGN scenario demonstrates robust performance under simulated disruption events, offering policy recommendations on zoning incentives, cross-agency collaboration, funding mechanisms, and community-led maintenance models. The study contributes to urban resilience literature by articulating a transferable framework that links mobility network design with green infrastructure planning, supporting decision-makers in achieving sustainable, inclusive, and adaptable urban systems. Limitations include data constraints on long-term behavioral responses and the need for ongoing monitoring to validate model predictions. Future research directions propose integrating real-time data streams, climate projection scenarios, and post-implementation evaluation to refine the IMGN approach for diverse urban contexts.

Project Overview

What This Project Is About

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A plain-language overview of the topic and what the project investigates.

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The Problem It Addresses

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What problem or gap this project tackles and why it matters to the field or society.

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Objectives of the Project

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1. Identify how post-pandemic mobility patterns have shifted in urban areas.
2. Explore how green corridors can be integrated to support healthier and more resilient cities.
3. Assess the balance between transportation access, land use, and environmental goals.
4. Provide practical design and policy recommendations for planners.

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What You Will Do Step by Step

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Step-by-step tasks will include literature review, data collection on mobility and green spaces, mapping and spatial analysis, stakeholder interviews, and drafting recommendations.

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Expected Outcome

Outputs include a clear set of strategies for incorporating green corridors into mobility planning, a defendable case study, and actionable guidelines for city planners to improve resilience and liveability.