Evaluation of wider economic impacts of light rail investment on cities

The effect of light rail transit on land-use development in a city without zoning

“…It is commonly assumed that investment in LRT will help spur development and promote high-density mixed land uses. LRT may also stimulate growth by improving accessibility to once difficult to reach areas (Knowles & Ferbrache, 2016). Cervero (1984) notes that growth potential is strongest when LRT is deployed in dense, economically robust, central areas.…”

Bus Rapid Transit System: A Study of Sustainable Land-Use Transformation, Urban Density and Economic Impacts

“…All the outcomes are presented in a similar way for each of the 10 selected stations. Contrary to common social-economic analysis methodology [2,3,19,20,42,43], the applied methodology here does not cover all social and economic factors comprehensively. However, the applied method focuses on socio-economic features specifically relevant for transit-related developments, and particularly for spatial impacts on land-use.…”

“…However, recently, a new paradigm has emerged, which focuses on the ability of mass transit to shape urban areas and to constrain urban sprawl. Public transit services act as a counterforce to reduce urban sprawl through dense urban development [1][2][3]. Hence, investment in transit services can play a crucial role in the application of compact urban development.…”

“…Hence, investment in transit services can play a crucial role in the application of compact urban development. However, until now, research has predominantly focused on the impact of heavy and light rail systems [2,4]. Investments in these kinds of transport systems are perceived to be an effective measure to bring additional investments in an area by new investors.…”

Generating opportunities for city sustainability through investments in light rail systems: Introduction to the Special Section on light rail and urban sustainability

“…For example, lower-income families have been displaced as transport infrastructure has been developed, not only through the demolition of housing, but also in relation to gentrification and the rising costs of land and housing prices adjacent to transit stops and lines (Enright, 2013). Land value capture is often perceived as a benefit (see Knowles and Ferbrache, 2015), but this depends who is evaluating the impact. The result is that public transport can lead to fragmentation and exacerbate inequality between, for example, middleclass and working-class populations.…”