Search Results (126)

In response to environmental degradation and social inequities exacerbated by automobile-dependent urban sprawl, this study proposes a framework for dynamic delineation and vitality assessment of 15-min walkable neighborhoods, using Baohe District, Hefei, China as a case study. Static service catchments were constructed using POI and road network data, then refined using one week’s mobile phone signaling trajectories calibrated to actual walking behavior, yielding 143 validated living circles (out of 156 initially delineated). These circles are classified into five typologies: commercial-residential, industrial-residential, educational-residential, predominantly residential, and public-service-oriented. A dual-index system—Facility Vitality Index (FVI) and Population Vitality Index (PVI)—is developed and synthesized into a Composite Vitality Index (VI) through normalization and weighting. Results show that only 27.3% of living circles achieve high vitality in both dimensions, indicating widespread service–demand misalignment. Conversely, 61.5% exhibit low or very low vitality, forming a “vitality depression” around the urban periphery—a pattern of service poverty with significant socioeconomic implications. High-vitality circles cluster along the Binhu New District corridor, while low-vitality circles concentrate in industrial parks (e.g., Feinan Industrial Park) and transport hubs (e.g., Hefei South Railway Station). The historic core lacks micro-infrastructures, whereas new districts—despite high-standard amenities—suffer from weak pedestrian activity. To address these deficiencies, we propose a differentiated zoning strategy: retrofitting micro-infrastructures in legacy neighborhoods, applying Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) principles in new urban extensions, and integrating community-serving functions within industrial peripheries. This framework provides actionable protocols for data-informed governance of 15-min living circles. Full article

Taking a metro over-track TOD (Transit-Oriented Development) project in Chongqing as the engineering background, this study adopts a combined research approach integrating field measurements and numerical simulation. A coupled finite element model of the train–track–tunnel–soil–building system and a regional acoustic model are established to systematically reveal the vibration response characteristics of building clusters above the depot induced by metro operation, the propagation mechanism of structure-borne secondary noise, and the distribution patterns of the regional acoustic environment, while identifying the areas where vibration and noise exceed the prescribed limits as well as the key influencing factors. On this basis, following a hierarchical mitigation strategy consisting of source control, path interruption, and receiver protection, an integrated control scheme is proposed through the coordinated application of track vibration reduction, building vibration isolation, acoustic environment optimization, and building sound insulation. The engineering applicability and control effectiveness of the proposed scheme are further verified by numerical simulation. The findings of this study can provide theoretical support and technical reference for the refined design and integrated prevention and control of vibration and acoustic environments in similar metro over-track development projects. Full article

Against the backdrop of high-quality urbanization in cities, the rapid expansion of metro networks has led to severe spatial mismatches in land use around station areas, which seriously restricts the full exertion of the comprehensive benefits of the transit-oriented development (TOD) model. Taking 139 operational metro stations in Xi’an in 2024 as the research sample, this study constructs a multi-objective land use optimization model with the richness of public services, transportation accessibility and population distribution balance as the three core maximization objectives. A hierarchically adaptive improved NSGA-III algorithm is proposed, with the following four key technical optimizations implemented: multi-dimensional adaptive reference point adjustment, design of real-integer hybrid coding genetic operators, construction of an enhanced multi-criteria environmental selection mechanism, and dynamic regulation of algorithm iteration. Experimental results show that the performance of the improved algorithm is significantly superior to that of the traditional NSGA-III algorithm: the values of the three core objectives are increased by 59.58%, 12.94% and 7.35% respectively compared with the original data; the algorithm achieves stable convergence after 25 iterations, with the convergence efficiency improved by 30%. The obtained Pareto optimal front features good uniformity (U = 0.92) and coverage (C = 0.95), and all the 80 non-dominated solutions meet all constraint conditions, with the solution set highly coupled with the urban functional zoning and spatial planning of Xi’an. This study proposes a zoned, prioritized and phased hierarchical land use optimization strategy for the areas around metro stations in Xi’an. The research findings provide a replicable research framework and methodological reference for the TOD practice and land use optimization of metro station areas in other rapidly urbanizing central cities in China and developing countries worldwide with the characteristic of rapid rail transit expansion. Full article

Since the 1970s, accelerated urban development in Doha has contributed to a disjointed and inefficient city structure. While the Doha Metro has begun to address spatial and mobility-related challenges, planners continue to call for a more integrated, strategic approach to ensure safe, accessible, and efficient transit connectivity. In response, the Qatar National Development Framework provides a long-term vision for sustainable urban transformation, with a central aim of embedding the Metro system within the existing urban context and aligning expansion with Transit-Oriented Development (TOD), which promotes dense, multifunctional, pedestrian-oriented neighborhoods along transit corridors. Within this context, this study investigates how TOD strategies can enhance quality of life in mixed-use environments, focusing on the area surrounding Al Mansoura metro station and the adjacent Najma and Al Mansoura districts. Using the Integrated Modification Methodology (IMM), the analysis assesses spatial structure across density, spatial diversity, and connectivity, and derives evidence-based recommendations to improve livability and support sustainable revitalization. To broaden regional applicability, the study also compares Al Mansoura with Olaya in Riyadh—two mid-to-late 20th-century, high-density mixed-use districts undergoing TOD-driven transition—highlighting how spatial form, infrastructure legacy, and urban governance shape TOD outcomes and inform adaptable TOD frameworks for Gulf cities. Full article

This paper investigates the application of Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) principles to the retrofitting of historic Gulf urban cores through a comparative analysis of Souq Waqif (Doha) and Qasr Al Hokm (Riyadh). The research employs field observation, thematic mapping, and qualitative diagnosis using the Integrated Modification Methodology (IMM) to assess compactness, intricacy, and connectivity within walkable station catchments. The findings indicate that Souq Waqif has a highly compact and intricate historic core with robust pedestrian activity, yet exhibits discontinuities at its periphery, such as car-dominated streets, fragmented green spaces, and weak connections between the metro station, parks, and adjacent blocks. In Qasr Al Hokm, the analysis affirms the value of its fine-grained historic fabric and civic landmarks, but also identifies deficiencies in shading, last-mile connectivity, and land-use balance surrounding the new metro station. Drawing on lessons from Souq Waqif, the paper proposes a TOD-oriented urban design framework for Qasr Al Hokm, emphasizing shaded pedestrian corridors, active ground floors, intermodal hubs, and heritage-compatible mixed-use intensification. This comparative approach demonstrates how TOD can foster more livable, accessible, and climate-responsive historic cores in Gulf cities, while maintaining respect for local identity and governance structures. Full article

Urban railway networks play a central role in reshaping urban spatial structures, commercial activity, and population distribution. This study investigates how different transfer hub types in Seoul—a megacity with one of the world’s densest rail systems—affect nearby commercial clusters, active population agglomeration, and land values. We classify 298 stations into single-line (non-transfer) and multi-line transfer types and examine three aspects within a 500 m station catchment area: the density of surrounding commercial areas, active population agglomeration derived from mobile phone data, and land price changes using government-assessed land values from 2016 to 2024. To capture local variations, commercial areas were categorized as Developmental Commercial Areas, Commercial Alley Areas, and Traditional Markets. The results show that multi-line transfer hubs host denser commercial facilities and attract larger active populations than single-line stations. Active population varies significantly by station type, averaging approximately 1520 persons near single-line stations, 1969 near subway–subway transfer hubs, and 1637 near subway–rail transfer hubs. However, land price increases were more strongly influenced by the overlap and extent of station catchment areas than by transfer type alone. Robustness checks using alternative catchment specifications indicate that the main qualitative land-price patterns are stable with respect to the definition of the influence area. These findings contribute to understanding of how transfer hierarchy influences urban agglomeration and provide policy insights for typology-based transit-oriented development (TOD) planning in megacities. Full article

Promoting and increasing sustainable mobility has become more of a focus in transport and mobility policies and plans. However, challenges remain in its implementation in low-density urban areas, which are usually highly dependent on private motorised transport. This study investigates how local actors and citizens in a low-density suburban area perceive the main mobility challenges and opportunities, contributing empirical evidence on how collaborative planning operationalises accessibility-oriented mobility models in low-density suburban territories, an under-researched context in sustainable mobility. It also examines how co-creation processes contribute to identifying barriers and priorities and to what extent proximity-based concepts such as the 15-Minute City, Transit-Oriented Development (TOD), and Mobility as a Service (MaaS) can be reinterpreted for low-density suburban realities. The methodological approach involved three focus groups with local actors and citizens to identify barriers, priorities, and strategies through collective discussion and co-creation. This process resulted in an agreement on eight (8) co-created strategies, revealing convergence towards promoting active modes and public transport and emphasising that accessibility depends on territorial redesign, digital integration, and inclusive governance. The findings contribute to the empirical evidence that participatory and context-sensitive approaches can enable sustainable mobility transitions in suburban areas by efficiently meeting people’s needs and aspirations. Full article

Transit-Oriented Development (TOD), formalized by Calthorpe and Poticha in 1993, emerged to counter urban sprawl, reduce car dependency, and revitalize historical community centers. Rooted in “new urbanism”, TOD emphasizes integrated regional land-use planning and high-capacity public transportation. In the Middle East, TOD implementation remains understudied, particularly regarding heritage integration and social equity in arid climates. Doha’s rapid social and economic transformation presents both opportunities and risks: growth offers urban revitalization yet threatens to displace communities and dilute cultural identity. Shifts in urban planning have aimed to address sustainability, connectivity, and heritage preservation. This study examines Msheireb Downtown Doha (MDD) to assess how TOD can restore historic districts while managing gentrification, enhancing accessibility and promoting inclusiveness. A mixed-methods approach was applied, including 12 semi-structured interviews with stakeholders (Qatar Rail, Msheireb Properties, Ministry of Municipality and Environment), purposive surveys of 80 urban users, site observations, and spatial mapping. Using the Node-Place-People (NPP) model, the study evaluates TOD effectiveness across transportation connectivity (node), built environment quality (place), and equity metrics (people). The findings show that MDD successfully implements fundamental TOD principles through its design, which enhances connectivity, walkability, social inclusiveness, and heritage preservation. However, multiple obstacles remain: the “peripheral island effect” limits benefits to the core, pedestrian–vehicular balance is unresolved, and commercial gentrification is on the rise. This research provides evidence-based knowledge for GCC cities pursuing sustainable urban regeneration by demonstrating both the advantages of TOD and the necessity for critical, context-sensitive implementation that focuses on social equity together with physical transformation. Full article

Evaluating transit-oriented development (TOD) efficiency in metro station areas remains challenging, as the traditional “Node–Place” model gives limited consideration to guiding factors and struggles to account for inter-regional flows under spatial heterogeneity. To address these limitations, this study develops an enhanced “Node–Place–Accessibility” model by introducing an accessibility dimension to better capture station-level connectivity and walkability. DepthmapX and a convex space approach were applied to quantify station-area accessibility, reflecting passengers’ perceived spatial distance during transfers. The model establishes a TOD measurement framework based on spatial coupling and functional connectivity, enabling the identification of factors influencing metro ridership across different spatial scales. Moran’s I was employed to describe spatial agglomeration and a local spatial clustering method integrating both passenger flow and built-environment (BE) characteristics was constructed to reveal differentiated spatial patterns. The Multiscale Geographically Weighted Regression (MGWR) model was further employed to quantify the spatially varying impacts of BE factors on ridership. Results indicate that the improved model provides stronger discriminative power in identifying “balanced stations,” and that BE conditions exert significant impact on metro ridership, particularly in areas with strong coordination among TOD components. Among the BE dimensions, design granularity exerts a more substantial impact on ridership than connectivity, density, and accessibility. This methodology provides large cities with a reliable tool for formulating targeted strategies that promote positive interactions between transportation and land use, thereby supporting sustainable urban development. Full article

The effectiveness of transit-oriented development (TOD) in achieving emission reductions and energy savings is highly influenced by policy frameworks, the accessibility of sustainable transport systems, and the degree of land use integration. This study investigated the implementation of TOD in Dukuh Atas along the Sudirman–Thamrin corridor in Jakarta to assess its role in promoting energy efficiency and lowering emissions. The analysis incorporated carbon emission calculations, annualized traffic volumes, and emissions data, alongside land use metrics such as the floor area ratio (FAR), job-to-housing ratio, and point-of-interest (POI) density. The findings indicate that while TOD implementation in the corridor is still evolving, there were positive outcomes in several key areas. Energy efficiency measures have been partially realized through the operation of electric buses in the bus rapid transit (BRT) system, electrified rail modes, such as commuter lines, mass rapid transit (MRT), and light rail transit (LRT), and improved pedestrian infrastructure, as reflected in a favorable Pedestrian Environmental Quality Index (PEQI). Public transport ridership has significantly increased, contributing to a measurable reduction in emissions from private vehicle use. The land use analysis showed that medium- to high-density housing dominated (78.94% FAR), with a job-to-housing ratio of approximately 1:2. This study also found that the emission estimates were moderately sensitive to changes in both emission factors (EFs) and vehicle kilometers traveled (VKT). Overall, the results suggest that TOD can effectively contribute to energy savings and emission reductions by enhancing public transport usage and reducing dependence on motorcycles. Moreover, the efficacy of modal shifting in the Global South is significantly influenced by population mobility characteristics, which are intricately linked to socio-cultural factors, alongside government initiatives to improve the quality of mass public transportation systems (e.g., integration, availability, service coverage, affordable fares, and inclusive design). Full article

Given the huge contribution of the transportation sector to CO₂ emissions in metropolitan areas, urgent countermeasures are needed to achieve carbon neutrality. In this study of 66 administrative units (cities, counties, and districts) in the Seoul metropolitan area, we applied cluster analysis and a hierarchical regression model to analyze the impact of the 7D factors of Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) on CO₂ emissions from road transportation. The effects of TOD factors were found to vary in diverse contexts. A higher concentration of employment intensified regional travel demand, thereby increasing emissions—a phenomenon referred to as the Paradox of Concentration. In contrast, the expansion of urban rail and bicycle infrastructure facilitated modal shift toward sustainable transport but simultaneously stimulated commercial and logistics activities, leading to elevated overall emissions. Thus, a ‘two-faced infrastructure’ pattern is evident in the Seoul metropolitan area. Conversely, strengthened local self-containment by destination accessibility promoted short-distance travel, curbing emissions. These outcomes empirically exhibit that the low-carbon effect of TOD is contingent, implying that urban structure and policy context are key factors in determining emission pathways. The impacts of the TOD 7D factors are discussed in terms of emission effects, and differentiated policy directions reflecting inter-city heterogeneity are suggested. In particular, the results of our analysis emphasize the need for comprehensive TOD strategies that combine transportation infrastructure, demand management, local self-containment, and zero-emission logistics systems, beyond simple compact development strategies. The policy implications described here are applicable in other countries experiencing rapid urbanization. Full article

As urbanization advances toward refined territorial spatial governance, integrating comprehensive transportation and spatial vitality has become essential for sustainable urban development. Transit-oriented development (TOD) plays a key role in linking transportation infrastructure with the coordinated evolution of territorial space. However, the interaction mechanisms between the built environment and metro station area vitality in cold-region cities remain underexplored, particularly in relation to seasonal differentiation. Taking Harbin as a representative cold-region metropolis, this study investigates how built environment factors shape metro station area vitality across seasons and how their spatial mechanisms differ between winter and summer. An indicator system based on the “5D” framework was established, and K-means clustering was applied to classify stations into four coordinated spatial types. A composite vitality index integrating transportation, social, and economic dimensions was constructed to assess seasonal variations. Spearman correlation and XGBoost models identified dominant drivers at the global level, while the MGWR model revealed spatial heterogeneity. The results indicate that POI density exerts the strongest influence on metro station area vitality, contributing 47.95% in winter and 47.27% in summer. Residential density plays a more decisive role during summer, accounting for 18.90%. In contrast, winter vitality depends more on transportation accessibility, with the distance to parking facilities contributing 11.59%. Core urban stations consistently maintain high vitality, while peripheral areas have weaker performances, especially during winter. These findings clarify seasonally adaptive mechanisms linking the built environment and spatial vitality, providing evidence for coordinated optimization of metro systems and land-use planning in cold-region cities. Full article

Urbanization and the growing scarcity of surface land resources have highlighted the strategic importance of underground space as a critical component of sustainable urban infrastructure. This study presents a multi-objective optimization framework for underground infrastructure planning around transit hubs, aligning with the principles of Transit-Oriented Development (TOD). By integrating an agent-based model (ABM) with the Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm II (NSGA-II) and incorporating the Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS), the framework forms a unified evaluation and optimization tool that accounts for user behavior while addressing competing objectives, including minimizing evacuation time and functional conflicts, maximizing functional efficiency, and reducing layout deviations. Using Qingdaobei Railway Station in China as a case study, the method yields notable improvements: a 15% reduction in evacuation time, a 16% increase in development benefits, and a more balanced spatial configuration. Beyond technical gains, the study also discusses station planning and governance under the TOD policy context, highlighting how integrated layouts can alleviate congestion, strengthen functional synergy, and support sustainable urban development. Full article

Urbanization has posed significant challenges to cities globally, including urban sprawl, traffic congestion, reduced livability, and poor walkability. In Doha, Qatar’s capital, these issues are particularly pronounced in the West Bay Central Business District (CBD). Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) is widely recognized as a key strategy to advance sustainable urbanism and mitigate such challenges. This study employs the Integrated Modification Methodology (IMM) to systematically assess the urban design and spatial configuration of West Bay through observational analysis. The research aims to reassess the urban form and enhance transit integration through a multi-stage, iterative process, focusing on critical determinants such as compactness, complexity, and connectivity. The analysis is structured around five essential design dimensions: (i) walkability, (ii) ground-level land use balance, (iii) mixed-use and public spaces, (iv) inter-modality and transport hubs, and (v) the public transportation network. Findings reveal key urban design deficiencies, including limited intermodal connectivity, insufficient green open spaces, and a lack of diverse land use around the metro station. To address these gaps, the study proposes a set of context-sensitive policy and design guidelines to support TOD-based regeneration. This research contributes directly to SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, and supports SDG 9 and SDG 13 through its emphasis on infrastructure integration and climate-responsive planning. The findings offer practical insights for urban planners, developers, and policymakers engaged in sustainable urban transformation. Full article

While prior studies on LULC change in the Ewa region of O’ahu Hawai’i have explored the policy implications and the rapid infrastructure changes on land use, very few studies have attempted to fully integrate both of these changes in a comprehensive, long-term study of island geographies. Most of the past work has focused on general trends or short-term fluctuations, without considering the play of nuanced interactions between urbanization policies, transit-oriented development, and constraints of Hawai’i’s finite land resources. To fill these gaps, this study examines LULC changes in Ewa, Honolulu between 2002 and 2022, which emphasizes the impacts of strategic urban policies and infrastructure development, such as the Honolulu Skyline Rail Transit System. Using Landsat 7 satellite imagery and random forest machine learning classifier, in Google Earth Engine, LULC is classified into urban, forest, vegetation, barren, and water with classification accuracy of over 85%. The results highlight trends of significant urban growth especially after 2010, and highlight key issues of tension between housing demands and environmental sustainability in O’ahu. This study highlights the potential of integrated remote sensing and policy analysis for informing sustainable development in land-constrained island settings, and advocates for planning frameworks that more effectively balance growth, ecosystem stewardship, and community welfare. Full article