The Possibility of Reorganising Transit-oriented Development

Abstract

There has been much discussion about the shift to compact cities in the last decade. Transit-oriented development (TOD) has been introduced in many countries to promote compact cities. However, low density occurs with heterogeneous and random spatial patterns. It impedes the creation of people-friendly, sustainable cities, making it challenging to attract the investments necessary to create a compact city’s core. This phenomenon is a serious issue during periods of population decline. Therefore, this paper clarifies the occurrence pattern of low-density districts around railway stations and their related spatial characteristics to understand better how to reorganize transit-oriented urban structures in a society with a declining population. We have observed the population demographic and household demographic change beside railway lines of the Keihanshin conurbation within the Kyoto-Osaka-Kobe metropolitan region, the second-largest urban area in Japan. Our research questions are “Do low-density populations exist in railway station areas?”, and “If yes, are they concentrated at a particular point or dispersed?” The results of our research are as follows; 1. Some railway stations are experiencing low density growth in their surrounding areas. 2. Thirteen patterns of low-density appearance in the station sphere are observed. 3. Stations with low densification disperse, but at a relatively lower ratio in the inter-urban area. 4. There are three primary routes for low density progression. These results will be helpful in future urban planning, including site optimization, and can help attract facilities and mutual support between regions.