The land use effects of transport infrastructure: Coherence and divergence between subjective and objective assessments

In recent years, several studies have objectively assessed the consequences of upgrading transport infrastructure in terms of changes in land use patterns. However, little is known about whether such objective changes are consistent with the subjective perception in local residents. Thus, it remains unclear whether people living in the vicinity of a major infrastructure project objectively perceive the changes in the built environment/land use. The aim of this paper is to determine whether the subjective perceptions of local residents correlate with objective changes to the land use, using the example of large-scale changes in transport infrastructure. We applied the case study of the Melbourne Level Crossing Removal Project to examine the changes around 13 rail level crossings. Objective changes in land use patterns were measured between 2015 (prior to level crossing removal) and 2020 (at least two years after the removal). Subjective perceptions of the changes were measured using questionnaires completed by residents living in the surrounding areas of project sites. The two measures (objective, subjective) were then compared by means of the Kappa test. The only significant finding in the level of agreement was observed for vacant lots, where the subjective and objective measurements were moderately coherent. Of some concern, no agreement was observed in the measurements of parks and playgrounds, and pedestrian/cycling facilities. Overall, these findings demonstrate that urban planning may need to focus more on the subjective perception of changes in land use among residents.