Travel Equity between Relocatees and Non-Relocatees before and after a Shopping Plaza’s Opening in the Megacity-Peripheral Large-Scale-Residential Area: A Case in Shanghai, China

In Chinese megacity centers, substandard housing is being removed. The inhabitants are relocated to peripheral large-scale residential areas, and we call them “relocatees”. After the relocation, their housing quality is improved but travel quality may worsen. Little attention has been paid to the change in travel equity over time for shopping-related trips of relocatees and non-relocatees in these areas in rapidly developing countries, especially for the change before and after the major built environment development, such as a shopping plaza’s opening. To fill this research gap, we conducted two surveys before and after Wanda Shopping Plaza’s opening. We used statistical analysis, estimated discrete choice models focusing on mode choice, and calculated consumer surplus as a measurement of travel equity. Results show a relocatee has a lower travel quality for shopping-related trips. Travel equity between relocatees and non-relocatees for shopping-related trips becomes worse after Wanda’s opening. Differences in consumer surplus between relocatees and non-relocatees provide a reference for the travel subsidy policy.