Typological Differences in Railway Station Areas According to Locational Characteristics: A Nationwide Study of Korea

Abstract

This study aims to explore whether railway station areas can be categorized according to locational characteristics on a nationwide level and whether the typological classification is valid for planning and development. Thirty-four railway station areas across Korea are analyzed and categorized using K-means clustering analysis. The results of the analysis prove that for all locational characteristics of land use, transit accessibility, and spatial form, station areas could be categorized into urban cores and suburbs. Moreover, the typological classification according to the location of urban cores and suburbs is valid in terms of development conditions and demand. This result implies that the role of the public and private sectors must be different in setting the space and size of areas of influence, and in forming and developing their use depending on the locational characteristics of station areas. This study contributes to the discussion on diversifying the planning and development of station areas as the heart of sustainable cities by verifying the types of station areas and their differences according to locational characteristics in East Asia, including Korea.