Rail integrated communities in Tokyo
John Calimente
Stantec
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5198/jtlu.v5i1.280
Keywords:
Tokyo, Urban Rail, Transit-Oriented Development, TOD, Private Railways, Tokyu, Rail Integrated Commmunities, RIC
Abstract
Tokyo’s railway station areas are models of transit-oriented design. To differentiate them from transit-oriented developments (TOD), the term rail integrated community (RIC) has been created to describe these high density, safe, mixed-use, pedestrian-friendly developments around railway stations that act as community hubs, served by frequent, all-day, rail rapid transit and are accessed primarily on foot, by bicycle, or by public transit. Japanese private railways have been instrumental in creating these RICs. Though they receive little financial support from the government, private railways in Japan achieve profitability by diversifying into real estate, retail, and numerous other businesses. Tokyu Corporation is used as the case study to exemplify how government policy and socioeconomic context contributed to the successful private railway model. Ten indicators, such as ridership, population density and mode share are used to analyze two stations created by Tokyu to demonstrate how this model is manifested in Tokyu’s rail integrated communities.
Author Biography
John Calimente, Stantec
John Calimente is a transit planner for Stantec, a leading firm in the design and consulting industry. He has also founded a consulting firm, Rail Integrated Developments, which works to improve station area planning based on design principles of Japanese private railways. John received both his Master of Urban Studies and Bachelor of Business Administration degrees from Simon Fraser University. John writes the TransitFan column for Re:place magazine. He is currently working to create a non-profit advocacy group for sustainable transportation in the Vancouver region.
