Urban Rail Transit Expansion, Public Housing Provision and Transport Equity: A Case Study in Hangzhou, China

Abstract Whether urban rail accessibility is distributed equitably has significant implications for social equity, especially in rapidly urbanizing cities. This research analyses how metro accessibility was distributed across different neighborhoods in Hangzhou during 1998-2021. The results indicate that public housing projects tended to be located in areas with lower metro accessibility compared to market housing. The unequitable distribution of metro accessibility between public and market housing appeared to worsen as urban expansion continued. These findings imply that institutional interventions are required to enhance inclusive transit-oriented development.