Volume,Issue,Pages-(October).docVIP

Volume 27, Issue 5, Pages 299-420 (October 2010) 2.Are there useful yardsticks of population size and income level for building metro systems? Some worldwide evidence??Original Research ArticlePages 299-306Becky P.Y. Loo, Amy H.T. Cheng ?Close preview??|?? PDF (350 K) ??|?? Related articles??|??Related reference work articles???? Abstract | Figures/Tables | References Abstract Although metro systems have been recognized as a sustainable transport mode, they are financially risky investment projects in light of the high capital and operating costs. This paper attempts to examine the socio-economic yardsticks commonly used for evaluating the readiness of cities in building metros, and to analyze how these socio-economic indicators changed before and after their construction. Specifically, the socio-economic indicators are population size and income level. Data of 60 metro lines in 21 cities on different continents were pooled for the analysis. The results suggest that the commonly-adopted population yardstick is still generally applicable but the income yardstick needs to be changed. After analyzing the population and income changes for the 10-year periods before and after the opening of the metro lines, it was found that the building of metros was usually preceded by a period of sustained high population and income growth. However, the rates of population and income growth would tend to decrease after the completion of the metros. 3. Measuring the urban competitiveness of Chinese cities in 2000??Original Research ArticlePages 307-314Yihong Jiang, Jianfa Shen ?Close preview??|?? PDF (237 K) ??|?? Related articles??|??Related reference work articles???? Abstract | Figures/Tables | References Abstract Previous studies have understood urban competitiveness mainly from an economic perspective. Drawing on insights from recent debates on urban governance that argue for sustainable development, this study employs a more balanced view that takes into account the econo