The impact of rail transit station construction characteristics on urban vibrancy: an integrated approach based on the node-connection-place model and the explainable machine learning

Abstract

ABSTRACT Transit-oriented development (TOD) promotes population agglomeration around rail transit stations, enhances urban vibrancy, and contributes to sustainable urban development. A key objective of TOD is the creation of vibrant communities around these stations. This study measures the vibrancy of 245 rail transit station areas (RTSAs) in Hangzhou, constructs an indicator system for rail transit station construction characteristics, and investigates their complex relationships using explainable machine learning methods. The research's findings indicate that: (1) the characteristics of station construction contribute to approximately 20% of the variation observed in the vibrancy of RTSAs; (2) there are significant local nonlinear and threshold effects of station construction characteristics on the vibrancy; (3) a certain amount of interaction exists among various construction characteristics; (4) In terms of the impact of rail transit station construction characteristics on the vibrancy of RTSAs, there are significant differences among these stations, which exhibit distinct typologies and regular spatial distributions. During the rail transit construction process, it is crucial for both the city government and private sector stakeholders to understand the unique characteristics of each station and the varying contributions of different construction elements to urban vibrancy. This understanding is essential for promoting the development of rail transit and ensuring the sustainable development of the city as a whole.