Investigating institutional barriers and opportunities to an integrated approach for transport and spatial development: Mega urban transport development in a rapidly developing city, Seoul

In response to rapid growth, megacities make large investments in mega urban transport projects. To ensure positive social outcomes, e.g., accessibility for all, an integrated approach to transport and spatial development is needed. This paper identifies the institutional barriers and opportunities to using an integrated approach, using Ostrom’s Institutional Analysis and Development Framework (IAD). We investigated a metro (subway) project in Seoul, South Korea, a rapidly-growing metropolis that has established an extensive transport network. Our analysis revealed that various rules have led to imbalances between transport and spatial planning, contributing to undesirable outcomes. Incongruence in scope between transport and spatial development, a lack of clear procedures for integrated planning, and institutional ambiguity regarding the responsibilities of the various actors affected social outcomes. We conclude that achieving desired social outcomes from mega urban transport projects requires institutional harmonization across sectors and levels, and local capacity to operationalize an integrated approach.