Journal of Transport and Land Use

The cost of connectivity: Network tradeoffs in subway expansion and historic street preservation

Xiaofan Liang

University of Michigan-Ann Arbor

Lu Chen

Georgia Institute of Technology

Manying Lyu

Guangzhou University

Yun Tian

Guangzhou University

Changdong Ye

South China Agricultural University

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5198/jtlu.2026.2749

Keywords: Subway network, Mobility, Social connections, Historic street preservation

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Abstract

As cities become increasingly interconnected, expanding regional mobility networks can come at the cost of local social networks. This study examines such tradeoffs in the case of Miaoqianzhijie, a historic street in Guangzhou, China, which was planned to be demolished for building a new interchange subway at Line 10. We introduce a network tradeoff framework that analyzes subway lines as spatial networks and historic streets as social networks within a single analytic frame. Empirically, we combine a participatory Geographic Information System (GIS)–based social network survey with origin–destination (OD) flow analysis of Guangzhou’s subway system. Our findings show that Miaoqianzhijie functions as a dense corridor of social infrastructure that supports everyday routines, social ties, mutual aid, and symbolic place attachment for residents, workers, and frequent visitors. Our OD analysis found that Line 10’s mobility benefits are unevenly distributed and the station closest to the demolition area sees only modest improvements. These findings reveal an asymmetric network tradeoff that highlights concentrated social connectivity losses versus diffuse and limited local mobility gains. This study contributes a case study and network-based methodology for representing such tradeoffs and highlights how these representations can inform more equitable planning debates around subway expansion and historic street preservation.

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