Transit-oriented development (TOD), also known as Mixed Use Development, creates vibrant people places centered on high quality rail systems. TOD serves multiple functions – regional planning, city revitalization and suburban renewal are all combined into one dynamic concept – while providing key solutions to climate change and energy security concerns.

TOD areas aim to maximize the benefits of transit investment by optimizing land use for housing, jobs and community services while remaining accessible through other modes of transport.

What is TOD?

TOD (Transit-Oriented Development) seeks to foster sustainable communities by placing everything necessary for living — homes and offices as well as schools and shops — within walking distance from a transit station. TOD has proven an extremely useful strategy in revitalizing neighborhoods while simultaneously improving access to jobs and services while increasing affordability while combatting climate change.

TODs tend to appear in urban centers and along major arterial routes with high ridership potential, typically within a quarter- to half-mile of transit stations.

TOD development relies heavily on community visioning and input gathered through public meetings, surveys, and workshops. By gathering such feedback through these methods, TOD projects are ensured to meet the needs of their intended users while building broad-based support for TOD projects. Involvement from all levels can also lead to changes in policies and regulations allowing higher density mixed use development around transit stations.

What are the benefits of TOD?

TOD provides many advantages, from decreased congestion and air pollution to providing new living options near transit and enhanced economic activity around stations. Furthermore, its walkable communities foster social connections while simultaneously increasing property values.

TOD can reduce energy consumption by decreasing vehicle ownership, while supporting environmental stewardship by limiting sprawl and protecting natural habitats. Furthermore, TOD helps minimize runoff pollution from paved surfaces as well as greenhouse gas emissions.

TOD can ensure equitable access to jobs and housing for all, yet implementation can present numerous obstacles. To successfully implement TOD requires engaging a wide array of stakeholders – city leaders, planners and engineers as well as community organizations, residents, businesses and transit agencies must all come together. Furthermore, private investment must match public funds; as it requires an optimum mix between private and public investments with regard to zoning restrictions, financing, parking requirements, resident opposition etc; yet more cities are turning toward TOD solutions.

How can TOD be implemented in my community?

TOD and its related concepts (BRT, transit-supportive development, TTSD) can be tailored to meet local community goals and aspirations, such as increasing transportation choices for all income levels and housing costs, creating a vibrant economy, protecting natural areas while creating a sense of place.

TOD options should reflect the community vision documented in its comprehensive plan and should include housing of various types, employment opportunities and civic spaces – all within walking distance of a mobility hub or transit station. Our AllTransit tool shows how TOD neighborhoods can connect residents to hundreds of thousands of jobs while opening career pathways and providing economic opportunity for lower-income people without car ownership.

TOD can be implemented through a TOD strategic plan and zoning overlays that amend land development regulations to encourage higher density mixed-use development. TOD has the potential to decrease vehicle emissions, traffic congestion and parking needs while simultaneously improving public health and social sustainability.

What are the challenges of TOD?

TODs that function efficiently provide improved livability for their residents, attract new riders and improve transit operating efficiencies. Unfortunately, increased demand for services and housing within TOD neighborhoods may increase prices or diminish affordability for low-income households, potentially worsening displacement risk or increasing prices in these neighborhoods.

To minimize their impacts, TOD strategies must be applied gradually in conjunction with poverty reduction and anti-displacement efforts. Furthermore, planners should explore connecting TOD practices to housing+transportation affordability policies, while developing alternative financing structures for TOD affordable housing units.

Change in urban design and development is no simple task, particularly when there are so many stakeholders with differing worldviews and interests involved. This is especially true of TODs where decisions are taken by government leaders, professional technicians, developers and investors, future residents who prefer car-centric suburban lifestyles as well as community and grassroots organizations.

Reaching the goal of inclusive TOD requires taking an approach that addresses multiple, interlinked issues ranging from zoning and land use regulations, funding sources and policies, code violations, financial regulations and policies, etc. Communities can begin their work towards this end by identifying potential barriers through critical analysis of existing literature, structured interviews with experts on relevant subjects, or community engagement activities.