On the attraction of shopping streets anchored by railway stations

Abstract

Factors that determine the attractiveness of a shopping street are examined empirically in this study, based on data obtained from the survey of visitors and establishments at six medium-sized shopping streets anchored by railway stations. The results of the analysis show: i) the visitor attraction of a shopping street is proportional to the passenger volume at the anchor railway stations, ii) larger shopping streets tend to have refined, higher-grade establishments, iii) shopping streets with smaller anchor stations may attract visitors with diverse establishments, and iv) unrefined and unpretentious urban space, which has not been the concern of organized urban development, is an important element of an attractive commercial district.