Revisiting residential self-selection issues: A life-oriented approach

Junyi Zhang

doi:10.5198/jtlu.v7i3.460

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Published

2014-12-02

Issue

Vol. 7 No. 3 (2014)

Section

Special Issue: Viewpoints on Self-Selection

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How to Cite

Zhang, J. (2014). Revisiting residential self-selection issues: A life-oriented approach. Journal of Transport and Land Use, 7(3), 29–45. https://doi.org/10.5198/jtlu.v7i3.460

Revisiting residential self-selection issues: A life-oriented approach

Junyi Zhang

Graduate School for International Development and Cooperation, Hiroshima University

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5198/jtlu.v7i3.460

Keywords: residential self-selection, travel behavior, life-oriented approach, QOL

Abstract

It has been widely argued that residential self-selection stems from two sources: attitudes and sociodemographic traits. This argument would be true if decisions were made with respect to only residential choice and travel behavior. Because they are just a part of people’s life choice, the influence of life choice on self-selection cannot be ignored. In this context, a life-oriented approach becomes relevant, where residential and travel decisions are interdependent not only with each other, but also with other life domains as a part of general life decisions. This paper conceptually argued and empirically confirmed the necessity of developing a life-oriented approach to reexamine residential self-selection issues. I proposed that life choices should be treated as an additional source of the self-selection, and dynamic interdependences between residential choice, travel behavior, and other life choices should be properly modeled. From a policy perspective, the life-oriented approach suggests that successful transport and land use policies should be designed together with policies in other significantly relevant sectors (e.g., health and environment) and such cross-sectoral policies could better contribute to the improvement of people’s quality of life.

Author Biography

Junyi Zhang, Graduate School for International Development and Cooperation, Hiroshima University

Dr. Junyi Zhang is a Professor of the Graduate School for International Development and Cooperation, Hiroshima University, Japan. His research interests mainly include activity-travel behaviour survey and modelling, low-carbon urban system design, tourism behaviour and policy, traffic safety analysis, and transportation and urban issues in developing countries. He is especially good at the modelling of human behaviour in various contexts including transportation and urban studies. As of March 2013, he already published nearly 270 refereed papers (English papers: more than 210 papers).