Paving the way to growth: transit-oriented development as a financing instrument for Shanghai's post-suburbanization

Chinese suburbs are dominated by extensive high-density projects around transit-oriented development (TOD), but the form of development and the role of rail transit have not been fully investigated. Based on a case study of the No. 9 metro line in Songjiang, Shanghai, this paper examines the logic and implementation of TOD in China. We argue that rather than an effective tool for curbing suburban sprawl, TOD is appropriate to facilitate suburban growth by linking land sales, property development, and infrastructure funding. Rail transit, therefore, functions as an instrument for financial leverage. Despite great economic success, however, the provision of public facilities and services for the large number of residents has raised new challenges for the local government.