TOD involves developing compact, walkable neighborhoods near public transit stations that combine housing with jobs centered around high-quality public spaces. TOD allows people to live and work close by, cutting commute times while decreasing car usage.
TOD fosters equitable development with protections in place to safeguard low income residents against rising property values and displacement. Read more in our Equitable TOD fact sheet.
Benefits
TODs foster vibrant, sustainable, and equitable communities by placing jobs, homes, shopping, services, recreation and education all within walking distance of public transit stations. Furthermore, they support community goals by catalyzing regional growth, improving mobility options and offering housing suitable for people of all income levels.
TODs are an integral component of city planning, urban revitalization, suburban renewal and walkable neighborhoods. By helping reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions while simultaneously alleviating traffic congestion and automobile ownership costs, TODs help save the environment as well as saving both economic and social costs associated with driving.
TOD can improve people’s health by creating more opportunities to walk and bike, decreasing exposure to toxic fumes, providing access to healthy foods, leisure activities, amenities that promote mental and physical well-being, as well as helping avoid the negative consequences of sprawl. Furthermore, equitable transit oriented development (eTOD) includes strategies designed to ensure low-income residents of color as well as those without cars take full advantage of new investments in transit infrastructure through accessible housing near transit stations.
Location
TOD areas are designed around transit stations or corridors to maximize access to frequent, high-quality public transit service. TOD areas feature denser development with mixed uses that is pedestrian friendly.
TOD communities provide residents with housing options located within walking distance of transit stops, making it possible to commute, run errands and meet basic needs without needing a car. They typically contain non-residential uses like offices, retail stores and cultural institutions in order to promote transit use.
Many communities have found success forming TODs around train stations, creating vibrant walkable centers of activity. Kent Comprehensive Plan has included goals and policies related to TOD opportunities in its Land Use Element.
Design
We specialize in conceptualizing, planning, designing and constructing TOD projects of all types – from transit hubs to residential developments – across Toronto. Our work on East Harbour Transit Hub in downtown Toronto shows our expertise at realizing complex TOD projects that unlock significant land value while contributing towards larger city building initiatives.
TODs are defined by dense, compact and mixed-use developments with close access to frequent high-quality public transport, emphasizing walking and biking as primary modes of transport; distinguishing it from urban sprawl through design features that reinforce its role as a transit-oriented community.
TOD promotes compact city growth, housing options that are accessible and affordable to individuals from all income levels, vibrant communities and economies, reduced dependence on automobiles and lower emissions. Local comprehensive plans (see our Comprehensive Planning page ) often include TOD goals, policies and subarea plans with minimum densities within half-mile radius of high capacity transit stations (i.e. 1 mile TOD densities).
Partnerships
Unchieve equitable transit oriented development (eTOD) through community partnership. Local governments, planning organizations, housing authorities, developers, and businesses all must come together in planning for more dense urban future with high quality public transit systems.
Communities across the nation are making efforts to develop homes, jobs and shopping opportunities within a half mile of public transit stations. Many TOD projects include affordable housing components; Denver works with Urban Land Conservancy to acquire property near busway stations before selling it off to developers who commit to developing affordable units.
WSP assists agencies with the identification of potential TOD sites through station area analyses that take into account topography, natural barriers, roadways and existing urban form. In addition, WSP is helping agencies develop strategies for protecting affordable housing units from displacement by job opportunities or economic development opportunities; protecting affordable housing from displacement itself by connecting residents to jobs or economic opportunities as well as supporting community-based efforts through Federal Transportation Administration Pilot Program for TOD Planning grants or similar programs.