The Built Environment and Urban Vibrancy: A Data-Driven Study of Non-Commuters’ Destination Choices Around Metro Stations

Yanan Liu and Hua Du ()
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Yanan Liu: Department of Urban and Rural Planning, School of Architecture, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 610031, China
Hua Du: School of Urban Planning and Design, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen 518055, China

Land, 2025, vol. 14, issue 8, 1-18

Abstract: The metro railway system is pivotal not just as a crucial transportation network for daily commuters but also as a significant enhancer of urban vibrancy, especially through its role in attracting a substantial volume of non-commuters. This study focuses on non-commuting travel behaviors around metro stations, exploring how the built environment affects non-commuters’ destination choices. A Random Forest model is developed based on data from Chengdu, China. The model is interpreted with SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) analysis. Route length, building coverage, greenery, and proximity are key factors and indicate a nonlinear impact on non-commuters’ destination choices. The impact of these factors was found to vary significantly depending on the scale and context, indicating a need for nuanced urban planning approaches. The findings highlight the need for sophisticated urban planning that balances functionality and needs in transit-oriented development, aiming to cater to non-commuters and promote sustainable, vibrant urban spaces.

Keywords: nonlinear; non-commute; metro station; destination choice (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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