Transit-oriented development (TOD) seeks to combine land development and public transport services in order to foster compact city growth, reduce car dependence and decrease commute times; promote healthy lifestyles while optimizing use of city resources; all goals which make TOD a key strategy for successful urban living.
TOD areas typically consist of a central transit station surrounded by retail, office, and housing uses that make up its more dense development pattern than typical suburban neighborhoods.
Walkable Communities
Walkable communities are defined by a network of sidewalks, public and private trails, green spaces, pedestrian-friendly street designs that promote safety, pedestrian-friendly street designs that enable easy access to destinations within the community, and continuous networks offering convenient transit access.
Walkable communities differ from suburban ones in that they do not solely rely on car-dependent commutes for transportation; rather, these environments offer residents many retail and dining options that enable them to support local businesses while supporting walkability.
HED sought out an office location that prioritized pedestrian-friendly infrastructure when moving its second-floor office location. HED’s new space, located in a flourishing community outside Atlanta, put its occupants within easy walking distance of vintage boutiques, restaurants and bars – creating a sense of inclusion within an urban community beyond HED itself. Unfortunately, walkable development isn’t for everyone. Walkable neighborhoods often come hand in hand with gentrification, which often excludes low-income households. To combat gentrification in walkable communities, affordable housing options such as townhomes or duplexes must be included such as townhomes or duplexes that meet this criterion such as missing middle homes should be built as part of these developments.
Convenient Commutes
Many commuters rely on public transit as part of their commute, creating vibrant walkable neighborhoods; increasing housing density with less land; decreasing congestion and air pollution levels; and supporting local economies.
Communities situated close to bus, rail, and subway stations allow residents and workers to easily access their jobs without using a car, saving money on gas, parking, and related costs. Furthermore, commute times tend to be shorter and more enjoyable when living near transit stations.
Employers can offer commuter benefits to employees through flexible work schedules, van share options from the station to the office and commuter debit cards that allow pretax dollars from paychecks to be deducted for public transit and parking costs. Employee surveys may help employers decide the most beneficial commuter perks.
Economic Development
Residents in TOD communities enjoy easy access to jobs, schools and cultural institutions. TOD neighborhoods typically lie within 1/4 to 1/2 miles (400-800m) radius from transit stations, featuring offices, retail, housing and public spaces among their offerings.
TOD neighborhoods’ high walkability also reduces auto use, significantly cutting GHG emissions and traffic congestion. Households near transit save an average of $12,000 a year by not incurring car ownership or driving-related costs.
TOD can support economic development by drawing companies to locations with convenient access to workers and customers, increasing property values near transit stops, and by making equity an essential element of TOD design – giving low and moderate-income (LMI) households better opportunities for economic development. Furthermore, LMI households spend a disproportionately larger proportion of their income on transportation costs – thus making affordable transit access an integral component of economic development.
Environmental Sustainability
Environmental sustainability refers to protecting our planet’s biophysical environment. This means ensuring future generations have access to its natural resources as well as supporting responsible manufacturing practices that reduce waste, pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.
Communities that prioritize transit focus their development efforts around train stations, making it easier for people to live, work and play near public transportation. Furthermore, residents who live close to a station tend to make more use of it than others do – decreasing car ownership as well as associated GHG emissions.
Westchester County TOD projects aim to transform surface parking lots at LIRR stations into walkable downtowns, such as repurposing former surface lots such as Westbury Station for affordable homes and neighborhood-serving retail uses. These initiatives will activate station areas while providing new amenities to customers while also creating revenue to support further transit investments.