Analysis of Seoul Station Overpass Pedestrianization Project’s Influence on Walking Accessibility and Floating Population Movement Patterns in the Surrounding Area

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to analyze and predict changes in walking accessibility and the spatial distribution of floating population in the areas surrounding Seoul Station after the "Seoul Station Overpass Pedestrianization Project' is completed. Pedestrian networks before and after the completion of the Project were devised, and regional accessibility and the ratio of floating population distribution were calculated on the basis of the networks. The analysis showed that the "Seoul Station Overpass Pedestrianization Project" would refine the disconnected pedestrian network in the west side of Seoul Station, resulting in the improvement of walking accessibility and the increase of floating population. In particular, it was forecast that the movement patterns of the floating population in areas within 15-minute access time would change drastically owing to the project of improvement in the pedestrian network around the station influence areas. According to previous studies, the results as found in the analysis will act as factors that have significant effects on the location and density of commercial facilities in the relevant region. Consequently, it is expected that after the Project, Junglim-dong and Cheongpa-dong, which are both located in the west of Seoul Station and are densely packed with low-rise residential buildings, will experience expansion due to the penetration of commercial facilities as well as the rapid surge in floating population.