Examining the Social Outcomes from Urban Transport Infrastructure: Long-Term Consequences of Spatial Changes and Varied Interests at Multiple Levels

Abstract

This paper investigates how social outcomes from urban transport projects typically play out by reflecting on multi-scale spatial changes induced by projects over time, and the extent to which such changes meet varied interests in project outcomes. We use a multi-methods case study approach using two exemplars, a metro project in London and Seoul, which established extensive public transport networks to support urban growth. Our study highlighted that urban transport network expansion does not always enhance life opportunities for all due to intermediate and cumulative impacts of spatial changes induced by projects. Immediate benefits such as enhanced accessibility were often undermined by long-term consequences of incremental spatial changes at local scales. This study also indicated that differential patterns of spatial changes around nodes between centre and periphery could be attributed to multiple negative impacts on people living in the most deprived areas. To enhance social outcomes, we suggest an integrated approach to urban transport and spatial development that focuses on scale and temporal dimensions of spatial transformation enacted by projects. In conclusion, achieving sustainable and equitable effects from urban transport infrastructure requires careful examination of broader societal consequences of long-term spatial changes and locational contexts, especially function and socio-economic conditions.

Impact of Landuse Morphology on Urban Transportation

“…These findings indicate that although residential density affects intra urban travel, population has a more significant influence on intra urban travel within a city. It corroborates the findings Lee et al, [51] on two cities, London and Seoul. Their research clearly demonstrates the necessity for a more coordinated and comprehensive strategy to urban transportation infrastructure development that considers the social effects of multi-scale spatial shifts and population growth influence.…”

Integrated Approach for the Assessment of Strategies for the Decarbonization of Urban Traffic

“…For example, Gherairi [18] presented an architecture and a management system for a battery supercap fuel cell hybrid storage system that can compensate for the problems of poor fuel cell response time and, due to the high peak performance of the ultracapacitor, shows better behavior in phases with high power demand. Lee et al [19] on the other hand, have presented an approach based on reliability-based design optimization that optimizes shared autonomous electric vehicles (SAEV's) deployment planning and strategy to better deal with uncertainties and disruptions. Last, Göhlich et al [20] focused on the optimal layout of batteries in the conceptual design process of electric bus systems for urban applications.…”

Reflecting on an Integrated Approach for Transport and Spatial Planning as a Pathway to Sustainable Urbanization

“…They also need to consider keeping a balance in the ratio between land use for transport development and other purposes (e.g., commercial buildings, housing). What appears to be fundamental for implementing the integrated processes is establishing institutional harmonization between spatial planning and transport planning [12,13]. Without institutional arrangements for land use and transport integration, an attempt at an integrated approach often ends up causing delay in the overall planning process and consequent cost overruns.…”

“…In many localities, spillover effects of development around nodes are much less clear than expected [16]. Once local socio-economic hubs are created at a transport node, disparity between a node and the rest of a catchment area appears to increase rather than decrease [12].…”