Accessibility appraisal of integrated land-use-transport strategies: methodology and case study for the Netherlands Randstad area

This paper examines job accessibility impacts of intensive and multiple land-use scenarios in the Netherlands’ Randstad Area for the period 1996-2030, aimed at increasing the density and diversity of activities around railway stations. Accessibility impacts are examined using location-based accessibility measures and utility-based accessibility benefit measures within a high-resolution land-use/transport interaction modelling framework, taking into account the regional demand for economic activities and possible market responses. It is concluded that extreme concentrations of economic activities at central urban locations well served by public transport are not to be preferred over less heavy concentrations of economic activities at more locations. Heavy concentrations of new firms may firstly repel existing firms in the neighbourhood and secondly result in decreasing marginal returns of accessibility benefits for public transport users.