Transportation systems’ impacts on the Vilnius housing market

Abstract

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to develop a better understanding of how transportation system factors affect city housing markets. The goal was to show that identifying these factors alone is not enough without also examining their effects and variations according to the housing location.Design/methodology/approachTransportation system factors were identified by conducting a thorough literature review. The factors’ relevance was tested using a quantitative methodology and a sample of 317 Vilnius residents. This city was next divided into three zones, and data collected from 18 real estate experts was subjected to qualitative analysis. The analytic hierarchy process was then applied to identify transportation system factors’ level of impact and dynamics by the housing location.FindingsThe results show that the factors affect the housing market in question but that these effects vary by the housing location and the most critical factors differ for each city zone.Research limitations/implicationsOnly data on Vilnius were used. Further research is needed to compare transportation factors’ dynamics in multiple cities.Practical implicationsPriorities in transportation system improvements should be assessed to facilitate sustainable urban development and enhance the residents’ quality of life. Housing market regulations can only be successful if investment in transportation systems is allocated purposefully and coherently.Originality/valueThis research went beyond identifying transportation system factors by employing a broad, systematic approach to clarifying potential options for regulating housing markets through transportation system projects.