Comparing with the U.S.

U.S. versus European Cities

It is true that the United States and Europe cannot be compared on everything. Different cities and different histories produce different results. However, Europe generally has higher rates of healthiness and more travel by public transit, biking, and walking, something promoted by all levels of government. As you can see below, nearly 70% of trips in Freiburg, Germany are taken by walking, biking, or public transit, with the plurality of those trips being through biking. Of course, not all European cities are as forward-thinking or environmentally friendly as Freiburg, but they generally do perform better in terms of finding means other than a car to get to work or wherever they need to be.

Fast facts on transportation:

In 2006, Germans owned 30% fewer cars per capita than Americans (560 vs. 780 cars and light trucks per 1,000 inhabitants), and Germans drove less than half as many kilometers by car (11,500 km vs. 24,000 km per capita
In Germany, public transport, walking and cycling accounted for 40% of all trips compared to roughly 10% in the USA
From 1999 to 2006, per-capita energy use for personal travel in Germany fell by 8% and per-capita CO2 emissions from transport declined by 7% - compared to increases of 4% and 2% in the U.S.
In 2006, personal transport energy use and CO2 emissions per capita were only about a third as high in Germany as in the U.S. (18,000 vs. 58,000MJ per year and 1,300 vs. 3,900kg of CO2 emissions)
American households spent an average of $2,712 more per year on transport than Germans
In 2006 total government expenditures for roads and public transport by all levels of government amounted to $625 per capita in the USA compared to $460 per capita in Germany. Government subsidies accounted for only 30% of public transport operating budgets in Germany compared to almost 70% in the USA

The correlation between obesity prevalence and rates of active transport across the U.S. and European countries is shocking. As seen above, less than 10% of trips are taken by walking, biking or public transit, and obesity is prevalent at nearly 25%. On the other hand, about 50% of the Netherlands uses walking, biking, or public transit to make trips, and they have an obesity rate less than 10%.

Each hour spent driving is associated with a 6% increase in the likelihood of being obese, and each additional kilometer walked per day is associated with a 4.8% reduction in the likelihood of obesity.
78% of New Jersey train commuters meet the national recommendations for physical activity compared with 45% of all US adults.

Even though Oil and Gas in the United States have received $441 billion more in subsidies than Renewables, the oil industry continues to complain about decreased funding.

On the other hand, in Germany and the Netherlands, subsidies for fossil fuels have been mostly eliminated and gas taxes are common. This causes high gas prices, therefore discouraging car use as long as viable transit alternatives exist.

In terms of spatial planning and land use planning, no major framework exists in the United States that allows for feedback between different levels of government. To the right, you can see the German framework for planning, based on the "counter-current principle." Contrary to the United States, the federal government and state governments play a crucial role in how municipalities are developed.

What are your thoughts on the differences in transportation, public health, subsidy disparities, and the planning process in Germany, the Netherlands, and the United States?

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