Transport network changes and varying socioeconomic effects across China's Yangtze River Delta

Newly constructed transport infrastructure may have varying socioeconomic effects across cities and regions. This study employs a spatial equilibrium model to examine how the development of expressways and high-speed rails (HSRs) may induce changes in employed residents, housing rents, and consumer surplus within China's Yangtze River Delta region. Empirical findings indicate limited effects of transport infrastructure in reducing disparities, when juxtaposed with the substantial and sometimes conflicting impacts of urban development (i.e., job and housing increments) at the regional level. A more detailed spatial analysis suggests that the positive effects towards even development from transport accessibility improvements are more applicable to bridging intra-city-regional disparities. This highlights the necessity for integrated urban development and transportation planning policies to optimise equitable socioeconomic outcomes.