Is it transit-oriented development? A case study of S-train stations in the Copenhagen Finger Plan

This article analyses S-train stations and their immediate surroundings in Copenhagen’s regional development plan, the so-called ‘Finger Plan’, in accordance with ‘ideal’ transit-oriented development (TOD) design guidelines. The results suggest that while the Finger Plan provide a regional scale public transport network, the pedestrian scale of urban design at S-train stations does not support it. Placemaking and especially safety at the stations are deficient, findings supported by passenger surveys. Based on this study, modifications to TOD parameters needed to accommodate Danish planning practice are suggested. The research results stress the importance of attending to the pedestrian experience in regional public transport networks and underline that TOD design guidelines must be adapted to local contexts.