TOD (transit-oriented development) refers to integrated urban spaces that bring people, activities, buildings and public space together for everyone’s benefit, supported by top-quality transit service. TOD communities also feature high-quality amenities and provide diverse housing options.
TOD communities are compact, mixed-use communities located within walking distance of a transit station. New construction or redevelopment are both options available here.
Pedestrian-Oriented Design
Pedestrian-oriented development provides all members of a community with easy access to destination spots through walkable public spaces. These may include lifestyle centers like public plazas, outdoor markets and decorative gardens as well as building facade improvements along public paths, parking away from sidewalks, using street trees and curb extensions to create convenient walkways, etc.
Local streets within TOD areas should be narrower in order to slow drivers and calm traffic to levels suitable for children and pedestrians, while high volume through traffic should remain on larger arterial streets outside these zones.
TOD areas should be linked with surrounding neighborhoods through frequent street and trail connections to encourage those living far from them to visit TODs, thus expanding transit coverage while decreasing car trips and the need for parking facilities near TODs. Awnings or arcades designed and placed near TODs may also reduce effects from hot summer sun and snowy winter conditions on pedestrian movement.
High-Density Residential Development
High-density residential areas tend to be located within walking distance of a transit station. Their mix of housing, retail stores, office space and cultural institutions draws people in from outside to take advantage of services provided within the development, reducing commuting by car.
High-density residential neighborhoods require more people to live in smaller spaces, which allows infrastructure to be utilized more efficiently. Furthermore, due to reduced car usage in these neighborhoods, traffic delays and congestion problems are typically reduced significantly.
Residential areas involving urban ecosystems must also be planned carefully to maintain them, with tenant screening processes playing a significant role. Soundproofing and double-paned windows may help minimize noise disturbances while increasing residents’ quality of life while at the same time relieving infrastructure from overburdening, decreasing energy consumption and CO2 emissions.
Mixed-Use Development
Integrating various uses within one development creates more diverse neighborhoods, giving residents the chance to live, work and play close by. Doing this also encourages residents to walk or bicycle instead of driving cars – further reducing greenhouse gas emissions1.
Mixed-use developments provide local economies with economic benefits by creating jobs and increasing property values, while taxes collected from commercial properties in these buildings help fund public infrastructure maintenance and future growth.
Mixed-use developments offer an innovative solution to urban planning and development, creating vibrant communities and driving long-term growth. McClure’s team partners with clients to design and implement strategies consistent with this approach, as well as manage the day-to-day challenges that may arise during day-to-day operations in these environments, such as coordinating maintenance schedules between tenants or streamlining communication through tools like our real estate management software. Our experience allows us to help create spaces that are both functional and beautiful – meeting the needs of each community they serve.
Transit Stations
Transit stations are any location where public transportation services operate, including railway stations, light-rail stations, ferry terminals, Bus Hubs or Bus Transfer Stations. Additionally, this definition includes planned Transit Stations that meet this definition that are scheduled in regional or state transportation improvement programs to be built within five years from application submission deadlines set forth by NOFAs.
General Plan Framework Element’s goal is to promote new development near urban transit stations and corridors, with a quarter mile radius ideally. Such developments should focus on neighborhood-oriented retail, employment opportunities, civic and quasi-public uses or housing facilities near these stations.
Good design in any development such as University Way Sound Transit Station ensures that as much displaced parking can be replaced as possible and that pedestrian access from its entrance provides safe connections across University Way.