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This thematic issue focuses on important but understudied connections between cities and climate impacts of long-distance travel. While urbanization and urban density have climate change mitigation potential in short-distance travel (e.g., by reducing car use and supporting public transportation, walking, and cycling), they have been associated with a higher level of emissions from flights. This highlights the role that city-regions could potentially play in reducing climate impacts of aviation. At the same time, the development of airports and flight connections has been an important driver of economic growth at regional scale and a factor contributing to global competitiveness of city-regions. This thematic issue includes seven interesting articles focusing on different aspects of the theme, all of which are briefly presented in this editorial. We also lay down some suggestions for future research directions based on the findings presented in this thematic issue.

Podnoszenie jakości życia jest istotnym celem jednostek i społeczności. W ostatnich latach cel ten nabiera szczególnego znaczenia dla miast w kontekście postępującej urbanizacji połączonej z jednoczesnym odpływem mieszkańców na peryferia obszarów metropolitalnych. Autorzy postulują rozszerzenie tradycyjnie stosowanych wskaźników ekonomicznych i społecznych o indywidualne oceny mieszkańców oraz szersze stosowanie geograficznych metod badawczych. Prezentują podstawy teoretyczne i nowe metody badania subiektywnej jakości życia, satysfakcji oraz ocen jakości przestrzeni miejskiej. Dyskusji poddane są cechy środowiska miejskiego wpływające na różne formy aktywności mieszkańców oraz ich percepcję jakości życia. Autorzy proponują możliwe pola zastosowania w zarządzaniu miejskim, planowaniu przestrzennym i rewitalizacji oraz formułują rekomendacje dla miast.

A compact urban form has shown many benefits in efficiency. Yet multiple studies have found that residents of urban, dense, and centrally located areas travel more frequently than those living in suburbs, small towns, or the countryside. As air travel is already causing more emissions than ground transport in many affluent urban locations and is predicted to increase, this pattern could undermine efforts in climate change mitigation. Explanations of these patterns and motivations for long-distance travel connected to the built environment have been examined quantitatively before, but with inconclusive answers. We studied this topic qualitatively in Reykjavik, Iceland, offering an in-depth perspective through semi-structured interviews. Results showed various links between the urban environment and long-distance travel. Some indications of compensatory travel behavior emerged, particularly connected to a lack of quality green areas, hectic urban life, and commuting stress. Compensatory trips were typically domestic. Furthermore, residential preferences seemed connected to leisure travel preferences - living in green neighborhoods was connected to more domestic travel to nature. The results show there are more factors for 'escape' trips than urban density and lack of green spaces. Examples of car-free lifestyles hindering domestic leisure travel were also found. Our study shows how a qualitative approach offers nuanced insight into the travel motivations of urbanites. Considering our results and travel motivation literature, the compensation hypothesis appears to be an overly narrow theoretical framing. Our study supports the conclusion that planning policies should aim at reducing car-dependence. Further research is needed for specific policy recommendations.