Estimating the Commuting Costs of Seoul’s Greenbelt

Abstract

This research estimates commuting costs associated with Seoul’s Greenbelt. It uses a density gradient framework for workers and residents and assumes that the Greenbelt results in a major discontinuity in these gradients that would be eliminated if the Greenbelt did not exist. This means abolition of the Greenbelt would result in both more workers and residents within the Greenbelt and fewer outside (both centrally and peripherally). The commuter distance savings from this reallocation form the basis for measuring the commuting costs. The average savings is 5 percent (a reduction from 7.14 km to 6.79 km); Greenbelt workers and residents would achieve substantial savings that are not fully offset by modest increases for those in the non-Greenbelt zones. Total commuting costs associated with the current Greenbelt are $65.96 million per year for out-of-pocket costs ($12.01 per commuter), or $395.56 million per year ($72.02 per commuter) including the value of travel time.