Spatial Pattern of Land Use and Its Implications for Mode-Based Accessibility: Case Study of Nanjing, China

Abstract

Accessibility is an important concept in transportation planning and research. This manuscript proposes methodologies and procedures to quantify accessibility by mode choice and its spatial variances in the contexts of limited data availability and increased levels of motorization/urbanization. A case study is conducted to show the applicability of the methodologies and procedures. The case study shows that accessibility follows a spatial pattern of concentric spheres, decreasing successively from the center to the peripheral. Regardless of mode choice, residents living in the center have better accessibility than residents elsewhere. The automobile accessibility is consistently higher than the bicycle and public transportation one. The automobile is more competitive in the suburb than in the center in terms of accessibility. If judged by accessibility, bicycling can be as competitive as public transportation in the center. In light of the above, it is recommended cities better promote public transportation and price automobile usage in the center and cultivate public transportation corridors in the suburb to make bicycling and public transportation more attractive. Doing the above would not compromise too much of residents’ overall accessibility, regardless of their mode choice.