Transit Oriented Development in the Randstad Southwing

In the Southwing of the Netherlands, local and regional governments, NS and Prorail voluntarily work together to implement a regional Transit Oriented Development (TOD) programme called Stedenbaan. The programme faces two major challenges. First, the scope of the programme was widened strongly in 2011; the programme now also includes regional transit systems and covers the entire territory of the Southwing of the Randstad. Second, the economic crisis has radically changed the demand for new housing and office locations which asks for a critical assessment of the spatial development perspectives. In this research proposal, comprising three subprojects, we aim to contribute to the development of effective and economic efficient regional TOD strategies for StedenbaanPlus on the short and medium term. Firstly, the degree to which improving station accessibility can be an alternative development strategy for urban densification around railway stations, given the decreased demand for new housing and office locations at the short term, is examined, using accessibility modelling and conjoint analysis. Secondly, the extent and conditions under what users are willing to attune their residential and work location choices and travel behaviour on the TOD model is examined, using conjoint analysis. Thirdly, the social costs and benefits of TOD are examined, based on a urban economic model, taking into account competition by municipalities for individual TODs. Finally, recent insights on transferability be used to what extent factors contributing to successfully implemented TODs in Europe and the USA can be transferred to the Stedenbaan case.