TOD (Transit-oriented development) is an approach to urban planning that places residents, businesses, homes and public spaces within walking distance of transit stations on either privately owned land or those owned by public entities. This type of development provides numerous advantages.
TOD areas foster sustainable city growth that reduces dependence on cars and pollution. Communities that embrace TOD principles create vibrant centers of activity for everyone to enjoy.
Walkable Neighborhoods
Transit-oriented development (TOD) seeks to create walkable neighborhoods as one of its main goals, so residents have access to amenities such as offices, shopping and cultural institutions without needing their cars. This approach creates sustainable urban communities.
TOD communities typically encompass an area within 1/4 to 1/2 miles (400 to 800 m) from a central station, with housing and office spaces clustered together so as to be accessible by pedestrians. TOD also typically provides public spaces that enable neighbors to interact and make new connections.
TOD communities prioritize sustainability, which often includes urban forestry. Many utilize Silva Cells technology to grow large, shade-giving trees that reduce urban heat islands while adding an appealing streetscape – for instance a recently redeveloped shopping mall in Burnaby BC is using our technology to grow over 100 trees that now form the focal point of their vibrant community.
Commutes That Are Shorter
Transit-oriented development (TOD) creates communities where housing, jobs and services are situated within walking distance of high quality public transportation services. TOD allows consumers to save money on household transportation costs while simultaneously reducing environmental impacts and improving economic efficiency by developing near existing transit.
TOD residential and commercial developments boast densities ranging from six to 25 units per acre in residential areas and up to three times as many employees or customers per acre in offices or retail centers compared with traditional, automobile-oriented development. According to one Portland study on traffic generation, transit-oriented development generates half the number of vehicle trips as conventional auto-oriented development.
Studies of travel behavior in California revealed that office workers living within one mile of rail transit stations experienced commute mode shares of 19% on average, as compared with just 8% regionwide. TOD residents also own less vehicles compared to those outside TOD areas resulting in decreased road congestion as well as lower energy use, air pollution emissions, and greenhouse gas emissions.
Reduced Car Dependence
TODs foster compact city growth by combining land development and transportation services in order to bring essential services and jobs within walking distance, without needing to own a car. This reduces dependence on motor vehicles while simultaneously cutting costs, pollution and exposure to dangerous traffic conditions and harmful fumes.
TOD can also assist low-income households by decreasing the need to spend a portion of their income on transportation – giving them more disposable money available locally for spending purposes. This is particularly relevant to LMI households reliant on transit to get to work or visit family.
TOD provides housing near transit while creating economic opportunity for transit agencies reliant on fare revenue for revenue. TODs also help to ensure long-term resiliency of transit systems during times of crisis such as COVID-19 when ridership dropped below 10% of pre-pandemic levels. TOD areas often consist of dense, mixed use areas centered around public transit stations that emphasize pedestrian friendliness.
Reduced Greenhouse Gas Emissions
TOD (Transit-Oriented Development) neighborhoods enhance sustainability by decreasing car usage and encouraging public transit use, increasing housing density per area, decreasing vehicle emissions, and revitalizing local economic activity. By prioritizing development near transit stations, TOD increases housing supply per space occupied, reduces car traffic emissions, and revitalizes local economic activity.
TOD laws may include incentives or requirements for affordable housing to encourage low-income households to relocate in areas near public transit, for instance the TOD laws of Washington and Colorado encourage mixed use development while offering developers incentive packages to include affordable units near transit stations.
TODs in Calgary, Alberta include apartments over clothing stores and picture frame stores – all within five minutes’ walking distance from an LRT station. TODs reduce greenhouse gas emissions by encouraging compact urban growth through walking or bicycling rather than driving to destinations, and eliminating car parking requirements.