Role of public transport in supporting the urban cultural and creative functions

In our three-year project, the team set the final goal as a proposal for future cities and public transportation linkages in the context of cultural and creative activities in cities. As the project leader, the author first introduces a basic discussion of cities and urban public transport modes, followed by an analysis of subjective accessibility related to well-being. Second, the author introduces field surveys in New York, London, and Wien as advanced cities with excellent cultural and creative activities, as well as Toyama City in Japan, where the importance of public space redesign related to quality public transport in conjunction with cultural and creative activities is identified. Finally, the author summarizes the conclusion of the research project, including the proposal as “Yoin City” (city or district where aftertaste of any cultural and creative activities is highly respected mainly with excellent design of urban public spaces and public transport services) with “new local” concept primarily for middle-sized cities in Japan. •Public transport will be important for cultural and creative activities in future cities.•Subjective accessibility is important for urban leisure activities in terms of wellbeing.•Quality walkable public spaces are inevitable in cultural and creative city centers.•A case study conducted in Toyama revealed the potential for redesigning and improving public spaces.•“New Local” concept with cultural activity center is proposed primarily for middle cities.