TOD developments typically center around high quality public transit – usually rail systems but also sometimes bus rapid transit (BTOD). They’re intended to be more walkable than other forms of communities.
TOD also specializes in developing mixed-use neighborhoods that provide various housing options as well as commercial and retail. This allows people to live a stress-free life without depending on cars.
Walkable Areas
Imagine living in a neighborhood where most of your shopping, dining and leisure activities are within walking distance from a train station – that’s the promise of transit-oriented development!
Businesses thrive in walkable areas, while shoppers spend more money locally, keeping tax revenue within the area and reinvested into public services and infrastructure improvements that benefit all residents. This fosters a robust local economy that’s less susceptible to economic fluctuations during times of recession.
Community engagement is a core feature of TODs, including strategies designed to address displacement and gentrification concerns. Utilizing tools like participatory planning workshops, charrettes, and community land trusts can assist communities with creating their vision for their neighborhood while making sure all voices are heard; this ensures community TODs remain inclusive while simultaneously increasing environmental sustainability by decreasing car use and energy consumption.
Access to Transit
To be considered transit-oriented, a community must provide easy access to public transportation – this enables residents living nearby the bus stop or train station to commute without needing their car for daily errands.
TOD communities not only reduce emissions and traffic congestion, but they offer additional advantages like lower carbon footprint, improved walkability and providing small businesses with opportunities for success.
Lake Street Transit Village in Minneapolis serves as an outstanding example. This development boasts housing, retail space and county human services center all conveniently accessible via MetroTransit’s Blue Line.
TOD can increase public transit ridership and enhance the sustainability of a region, but transit agencies must pay particular attention to equity concerns in order to maximize these advantages; this will become especially crucial as economic conditions return and farebox revenues decline, so PSRC’s transit access work products can assist these efforts.
Convenience
Convenience refers to any process, product or service which saves time, effort and energy – for instance microwaveable meals, electric power or automobiles are examples of conveniences that save time, energy and effort. A key aspect of successful transit-oriented developments lies in offering convenient housing options within walking distance from high quality public transport stations.
TOD goes beyond providing housing choices by creating walkable communities that foster both jobs and businesses. By clustering businesses and residents together, TOD allows local economies to flourish while decreasing dependence on cars while encouraging shorter commute times.
TOD strategies leverage shared spaces like parks and plazas to foster safety and social interactions, along with creating safe bicycle infrastructure that makes TOD a viable transportation option. When combined with climate resilience measures like green roofs or green infrastructure improvements, TOD strategies help form resilient and livable communities that are resilient against climate change. This page offers resources and model ordinance language to communities looking to encourage TOD around bus rapid transit stations in their area.
Environmental Sustainability
Transit-oriented development offers both residents and developers significant environmental sustainability. Living, working, and playing in walkable neighborhoods near transit reduces car usage which in turn contributes to air pollution, congestion and climate change.
TOD can help prevent sprawl and support urban renewal by encouraging compact, mixed-use neighborhoods focused around transit. This creates a greener city environment while protecting natural resources and wildlife habitats.
Recent research found that families living near multiple activity centers within walking distance can save up to $1,200 each year in transportation expenses while simultaneously decreasing their carbon footprint by an estimated 2,455 pounds annually.
As climate change becomes an increasing priority worldwide, transit-oriented development (TOD) is increasingly popular. TOD encourages economic development while offering many personal advantages to residents who live, work and travel through these types of neighborhoods. Cities all across the United States and around the globe have begun adopting TOD into their master plans to take advantage of its many benefits.