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.
Decision-making processes for mega urban infrastructure developments are far from closed rational systems. They rarely satisfy everyone, and are politically driven, reflecting the interests of key stakeholders and macro-scale economic development goals, with limited evaluation of multi-scale impacts and unwanted negative consequences to society at large. An integrated approach to evaluating impacts is required in consideration of the spatial and thus unavoidably ethical, political nature of decisionmaking on mega infrastructure development. Spatial Ethics (SE) is addressed as a conceptual basis to investigate the multi-scale impacts and the spatial equity issues of urban infrastructure development. SE multi-criteria assessment (MCA) has been explored as a tool to evaluate urban transport projects in respect of plurality of actors, interests and priorities by involving stakeholders in shaping the framework as well as evaluating the impacts. A case study, which applies the framework, identifies that urban transport infrastructure investment brings benefits and costs related to urban spatial transformation. The positive return to society over time and space is limited from the spatially ethical perspective; however, identification of winners and losers cannot be generalized as the impacts are perceived differently by individuals who are affected by various external and internal factors.
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