The principle of Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) is by now well known around the world. TOD consists in creating vibrant, compact, mixed use and walkable communities around transit stations, while articulating urban densities around the transit system. This paper presents a pilot study designed to carry out a walkability analysis of urban development at a detailed level within the immediate walking “catchment area” of a sample of stations along Nanchang metro Line 2 (scheduled to be opened by 2018). The analysis focuses on quantitative metrics relating to land use density, block size, road network density, and traffic signal cycle length. A pedestrian survey was also carried out to support the analysis from the users’ point of view on the quality of walking conditions in these areas. The results show that higher density and quality of development, a more pedestrian friendly circulation system, and other complementary facilities near metro stations will likely be essential to the future success of these systems. Potential improvements can be inferred through comparison of the quantitative metrics between Nanchang and other cities around the world. Field survey shows that new solutions (whether new pathways, bridges, or underpasses) would enlarge the walking catchment area at several stations. Meanwhile, the small pilot pedestrian survey qualitative results indicate that pedestrians place a high priority on safety and security conditions around stations. The results have been presented to officials in Nanchang as part of a World Bank project preparation process there, and next steps are being discussed.
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