Transit-induced restructuring: On the mobility inequalities in Tokyo

Discussions about urban restructuring typically regard transportation infrastructure as a key stimulus, but they seldom consider how such stimulus occurs. Many suggest that transit infrastructure construction and surrounding land development, often labeled as transit-oriented development (TOD), change neighborhoods; others, however, doubt this. Thus far, the discussion has disproportionately focused on capitalizing transit accessibility by building new infrastructure while neglecting the indirect and incremental role of existing infrastructure in the long term. Taking 2010–2020 as the study period, this research explored urban restructuring in Tokyo, a city characterized by transit–development synthesis and short building lifespans. We identified rail transit (RT) stations as the anchors of urban redevelopment projects, which have capitalized on physical mobility to gradually restructure central Tokyo over time. Geographical and regression analyses indicated that RT use increased over time but served socioeconomically privileged groups better than others, suggesting the influence of existing transit infrastructure rather than new infrastructure or major upgrades. This pattern reflects a “post-TOD” challenge that exists worldwide, highlighting a quadrant categorization of TOD divided according to policy for public interest and profit in the market. These categories emphasize more inclusive progress guided by planning principles that go beyond corporate-led models.