TOD refers to the practice of clustering housing, offices and shops within walking distance of a transit station for enhanced livability, reduced pollution and traffic congestion and higher property values.

Edmonton boasts various examples of TOD communities, such as Century Park in the south near an LRT route and Strathearn in the northeast around an existing rapid transit station.

Creating a More Livable Community

TOD principles provide advantages to urban areas of all shapes and sizes. From new neighborhoods built to meet transit demands to existing low-income communities that have been improved without displacement, TOD principles offer many advantages in urban settings of any shape and size. Reclaiming surface lots can add more housing or business opportunities while decreasing automobile traffic while conserving green space within an area.

TODs seek to promote equitable urban growth by creating walkable communities accessible to all members. Living within walking distance of transit stations allows residents easy access to jobs, services and amenities as well as less car reliance and shorter commutes.

TOD can address challenges to affordable housing by integrating community co-creation with equity-oriented land-use policies. Transit project owners that seek community input early in the planning process can ensure their projects meet local needs while meeting high levels of resident satisfaction, which supports sustainable cities by decreasing vehicle emissions and supporting a vibrant economy.

Creating Jobs

Concentrating jobs, services and housing near transit stations allows people to reach them more efficiently without using their car, creating healthier and more sustainable lifestyles while decreasing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing resident productivity.

TOD allows cities to optimize the return on their public transit investments by creating denser, walkable areas that use existing infrastructure more effectively, reducing sprawl costs associated with suburban development and increasing the effectiveness of use of existing assets.

TODs can also generate local revenues to fund transit infrastructure through “value capture.” When done successfully, value capture can increase property values while simultaneously creating recurring revenues that can fund future investment in transit infrastructure. One such example was when Westbury residents signed long-term ground lease agreements that generated both regular revenue streams as well as affordable home construction – creating TOD areas while fulfilling community goals.

Creating Affordable Housing

Living close to public transit can save both housing and transportation costs, making transit-oriented development (TOD) neighborhoods attractive places for people of all income levels to call home. But it is crucial that affordable housing be factored into TOD plans from the outset; not as an afterthought or in order to offset neighborhood impacts caused by new transit services like increased traffic or parking congestion.

TOD strategies such as lowering minimum parking requirements or permitting shared space can significantly lower construction costs and make affordable homes near transit more feasible to build. Localities can further encourage affordable TOD by allocating CIG funding towards projects which include an abundance of affordable homes.

TODs can also aid in fighting gentrification by drawing moderate- and middle-income residents into areas undergoing transformation such as increased public services, employment opportunities, or reduced crime rates. By doing this, new residents will help keep property values reasonable while preventing displacement of existing low-income communities.

Creating a More Sustainable Community

TOD helps reduce carbon footprints by clustering jobs, services, and housing near transit stations. It improves economic activity and real estate values while making public transit more attractive to commuters – thereby encouraging shorter commuting distances and shorter commutes overall. TOD also makes urban areas more energy efficient as buildings in dense urban areas share walls more effectively to insulate against weather elements.

TOD can also assist families in living without two vehicles; studies show that residents in TOD neighborhoods travel up to 32 percent fewer miles by car and own fewer cars compared to residents living in conventional development.

Key to successful TOD initiatives is creating sustainable communities that thrive and are accessible, safe and livable. A systematic approach must be employed for assessing, evaluating and adapting TOD station area trends over time. To take this step, this research employs the node-place model, an analytical framework within TOD typology that forms its basis, across 96 stations throughout the U.S. over eight years.