ASSESSING THE IMPACT OF MRT DEVELOPMENT ON URBAN GROWTH IN SINGAPORE

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the impact of suburban MRT stations on urban growth in its surroundings, with the hypothesis that the operation of an MRT station results in an increase in population density and an increase in aggregate plot ratio in its surroundings. This study investigates the impact on two metrics of urban growth: firstly, the change in population density of the subzones surrounding MRT stations; and secondly, using a difference-in-differences (DID) regression approach, the change in the aggregate plot ratio of non-institutional land surrounding MRT stations. After investigating the change in these metrics over a recent time period, this study concludes that the development of an MRT station does not have a significant impact on both the change in population density of its surrounding subzones, and on the change in aggregate plot ratio in its surroundings.

As the MRT network continues to expand, with the ongoing construction of three and potentially further lines in future, this study aims to provide policy-makers and planners with valuable insights in assessing the impact of an operational MRT station on urban growth in its surrounding area. The findings in this paper may also be useful for transport planners to determine the most suitable locations for future MRT stations along potential additional lines, in order to maximise urban growth effects in desired locations.