Optimal allocation of urban transportation land at a regional level: A case of the Yangtze River Economic Belt, China

Effective allocation of transportation resources is considered essential for achieving sustainable development. However, there is a notable lack of comprehensive approaches for optimally allocating transportation land at the regional level. This study builds upon resource allocation theory, incorporating concepts of regional integration and sustainable development, to develop a comprehensive framework for this purpose. Selecting the Yangtze River Economic Belt (YREB) as a case study, the study examines transportation land allocation by comprehensively assessing the degree of dependence, dominant type, network connectivity and coordination of urban transportation, and maps the transportation land allocation decisions in the YREB. The main findings of this study indicate that there are significant variations in transportation land allocation strategies across different stages of development. Cities with less developed transportation systems tend to prioritize land supply, but often require a single type of transportation land with lesser area. In contrast, cities with well-developed transportation systems show a lower priority in land supply but diversified need in transportation land types and larger areas. This study offers both theoretical and empirical foundations to assist policymakers in formulating more sustainable strategies to regional transportation land allocation.