published_or_final_version / Urban Planning / Master / Master of Science in Urban Planning

published_or_final_version / Urban Planning / Master / Master of Science in Urban Planning

published_or_final_version / Urban Planning / Master / Master of Science in Urban Planning

published_or_final_version / abstract / Transport Policy and Planning / Master / Master of Arts in Transport Policy and Planning

published_or_final_version / abstract / Urban Design / Master / Master of Urban Design

published_or_final_version / Urban Studies / Master / Master of Social Sciences

published_or_final_version / Transport Policy and Planning / Master / Master of Arts in Transport Policy and Planning

published_or_final_version / Urban Planning and Design / Master / Master of Science in Urban Planning

Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) has adopted characteristics of rail systems to deliver a highquality transport service in a cost-effective way. Many cities across the globe have recently adopted BRT schemes as a promising strategy for relieving traffic problems. However, as a relatively new form of Mass Transit, the ability of BRT to provide a high quality transport service and its potential to stimulate land development remain largely unexplored. Following a review of international literature on the current issues relating to the land development impact of BRT, the thesis provides empirical-based evidence that examines the performance and effects of ITS-led BRT in Beijing, China. The study makes use of qualitative (interviews with stakeholders) and quantitative analysis (the questionnaire survey of passengers and longitudinal analysis of property price data) to investigate the impact of Beijing Southern BRT Line 1 on public transport service quality and land development along its corridor. The study clearly illustrates that the BRT system is an innovative approach of providing a high-quality transport service, comparable to a rail service but at a relatively low cost and short implementation time. The research suggests that a high-quality BRT system can offer accessibility advantage (specifically travel time savings) to adjacent properties and increase their attractiveness. The statistical analysis suggests improved accessibility conferred by BRT is capitalized into higher real-estate prices. The capitalization effect mostly occurs after the full operation of BRT, and is more evident over time and particularly observed in a place which lacks the alternative mobility opportunity offered by a Mass Transit system.

A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Architecture, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Master of Urban Design. / The fountainhead of the tramways in South African cities occurred a century ago, when Johannesburg, in particular, experienced horse-drawn trams in the early 1890's. From a rough Babylon, this city has henceforth experienced significant changes in time and space, failing to avoid the desecration of racial segregation and the associated spatial ramifications. The contemporary city hs thus charged with the task of reconstruction and integration to redress the effects of past actions. In parallel, the renslssance of the tramway worldwide, in the form of rapid transit, has brought to light an opportunity to be exploited in the process of re-assembling the fragmented urban form. The catalytic and associated rtpple effects of rapid transit on the urban environment in nearby proximity is, considered critical to both the sustainability of the system and to the environment through which it operates. The underlying approach incorporates the notion of linking history and precedent as a means of instructing future designs. The process Is concerned w!th definition, decomposition, analysis of intermutual links, and re-assembling the whole, to achieve a higher level conceptual abstractlon and understanding. Such an understanding could facilitate the urban designer to maximise the catalytic benefits of a revived urban element. / Andrew Chakane 2018