Revisit accessibility via governance of public-private collaboration: A case study in Hong Kong

The paradigm shift in urban development from government-dominated planning and construction to multiparty collaborative governance has underscored the importance of public-private sector relationships in enhancing accessibility. While existing scholarships have examined accessibility through the lens of land use and transportation arrangements, little attention has been paid to whether and how public-private collaboration governs accessibility outcomes. To date, three key gaps remain: (1) how the distinct behaviors of public and private sectors contribute to accessibility, (2) whether these behaviors constitute meaningful collaboration, and (3) how the intensity of collaboration influences accessibility outcomes. This study revisits accessibility through the framework of public-private collaborative governance, examining the roles of both sectors in shaping accessibility and assessing how their collaboration intensity affects outcomes. Using a longitudinal case study of metro-land use development in Hong Kong, we find that among different planning approaches for coordinating land use and transit infrastructure, the form and intensity of public-private collaboration play a significant role in accessibility enhancement. Key mechanisms for effective collaboration include: (1) aligning public and private interests in accessibility planning to ensure effective engagement, (2) integrating public planning authority with private capital and expertise to implement solutions, and (3) coordinating strategies to build trust and accelerate integrated land use-transportation development.