Bus Rapid Transit System: A Study of Sustainable Land-Use Transformation, Urban Density and Economic Impacts

Muhammad Aamir Basheer, Luuk Boelens and Rob van der Bijl
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Muhammad Aamir Basheer: Center for Mobility and Spatial Planning, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
Luuk Boelens: Center for Mobility and Spatial Planning, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
Rob van der Bijl: Center for Mobility and Spatial Planning, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium

Sustainability, 2020, vol. 12, issue 8, 1-22

Abstract: Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) has shown significant growth in recent years, particularly in developing countries because of its cost-effectiveness. However, empirical evidence on land-use and economic impacts of BRT is limited. This study measures the sustainable land-use transformation, urban density, and economic impact witnessed after the development of BRT. Spatial analysis shows that BRT has the potential to simulate land-use transformation, however, the extent of transformation is context-dependent. Population density has increased from 268 persons/acre to 299 persons/acre. Besides land-use transformations, inward investments and extension of the labor market were also evident in areas served by BRT. The amount almost equal to US $140 million of inward investment was detected after implementation of BRT, which ultimately brought around 800 new employees from remote areas. An efficient land-use policy, streamlining these land-use transformations, and inward investments, can benefit from developing compact and sustainable neighborhoods. This study will help in the performance evaluation of BRT systems in developing countries for sustainable development.

Keywords: sustainability; transport; BRT; urban development; inward investment; land-use transformation; Lahore (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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