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

Juhyun Lee, Jos Arts, Frank Vanclay and John Ward
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Juhyun Lee: Faculty of Spatial Science, University of Groningen, 9700 AV Groningen, The Netherlands
Jos Arts: Faculty of Spatial Science, University of Groningen, 9700 AV Groningen, The Netherlands
Frank Vanclay: Faculty of Spatial Science, University of Groningen, 9700 AV Groningen, The Netherlands
John Ward: The Bartlett School of Planning, University College London, London WC1H 0NN, UK

Sustainability, 2020, vol. 12, issue 15, 1-21

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.

Keywords: urban spatial transformation; public transport; land usetransport integration; spatial equity; integrated planning; megacities; megaprojects; sustainable transport (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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