【National Natural Science Foundation General Program】Development of Polycentric Spatial Structures and Transportation Performance under Rail Transit Systems 

Project Summary:
Amidst rapid regional economic development driven by urban and intercity rail transit expansion, this project addresses the blurring boundaries between cities and regions. By extending urban spatial structure theories to regionalized urban configurations, the research investigates rail transit investments’ dual impacts—both mechanisms and outcomes—on spatial restructuring. It bridges urban geography and transportation geography to inform strategies for alleviating metropolitan congestion and optimizing regionalized urban forms.

Methodology:

1. Shenzhen Case Study:

• Quantitatively examines spatial gradients of land prices and floor area ratios (FAR) around rail transit stations.

• Analyzes market-planning mechanisms using accessibility metrics, land value dynamics, and capital substitution effects.

2. Pearl River Delta Analysis:

• Assesses rail corridors’ impacts on land development, population growth, and employment clustering.

3. Performance Simulation:

• Develops a transportation impact assessment model integrating trip generation principles to evaluate land use changes and polycentric structural evolution.

Contributions:

• Advances theoretical frameworks for rail-induced spatial restructuring in urban/transportation geography.

• Provides evidence-based planning tools for optimizing transit-oriented development (TOD) and regional spatial governance.

Principal Investigator: Prof. Yang Jiawen
Duration: January 2014 – December 2017