How has Transit Oriented Development Impacted Land Gentrification in London

South Hills Academy University Preparatory High School

^* Corresponding author: highschool_research@outlook.com

Abstract

This study evaluated the impact of Transit Oriented Development (TOD) on land gentrification in London, a city that adopted TOD in its railway network early in the 1920s. It analysed the benefits and drawbacks of TOD and Land Gentrification from the perspectives of economy, society and environment. It analysed the relationship between TOD’s advancement and the level of land gentrification in 33 main districts in London and evaluated the influence of the former on the latter. In addition, it discussed the impacts of gentrification on residents’ health from the aspects of residents’ life expectancy, obesity prevalence and mental trauma(anxiety and depression). It is concluded that:1)TOD can induce different degrees of land gentrification in surrounding areas. 2) TOD and land gentrification mainly affect the social groups with middle or low income. 3) land gentrification will affect people’s physical and mental health, but these are most influential to low - and middle-income population. 4) land gentrification will generally prolong life expectancy for low and middle-income people, but at the same time it will also increase the average level of anxiety and depression among them. The research findings contribute some advice to London and other cities’ governments to design the proper strategies of TOD planning and sustainable development.