Globalizing TOD requires uniting many disparate perspectives and interests in its implementation. This process encompasses government officials, planners, professional technicians from multiple fields, developers and investors; future residents attached to car-dependent suburban lifestyles as well as those seeking closer proximity to public transportation – among many others.
TOD areas typically encompass high density development surrounding transit stations with various amenities within walking distance that enable people to navigate without their cars.
Location
TOD (Transit-Oriented Development) is an urban growth strategy centered on quality public transit services. This promotes compact city development while counteracting sprawl, leading to shorter trips and reduced automobile dependence while offering more affordable housing options, greener lifestyle choices and improved community health benefits.
TOD areas can range in size from single neighborhoods to entire cities, with strategies tailored specifically to their local context and generally including:
TODs can be found anywhere from large cities like New York and LA to smaller towns like Babylon. TOD is also an attractive real estate investment opportunity; properties located close to transit stations tend to command higher premiums compared to properties further away.
Density
TODs are communities developed near public transit stations to create lively, walkable communities. Their dense construction enables more housing units to be constructed on less land while simultaneously decreasing car traffic and pollution levels, increasing economic activity locally, and increasing livability.
TOD areas tend to be constructed within 1/4 to 1/2 miles (400 to 800 m) of bus, train or light rail stations where walking is feasible – making it convenient for residents to access shopping, work, schooling or visiting friends and family without using their cars.
TODs offer a diverse array of housing types ranging from high-rise condos to single-family homes, providing residents with many different choices and helping to lower income levels thereby increasing access to city services and benefitting the whole community.
Accessibility
TOD (Transit Oriented Development) is an approach to city growth that promotes compact city growth by decreasing car dependence and improving access to local services and resources. Combining urban placemaking, community design, and transit service into vibrant neighborhoods that can be enjoyed by all with minimal environmental or financial costs as well as high resilience against disruptions.
TOD communities typically consist of a central public transport node with high-density development surrounding it, and lower density areas branching off from it. They may also offer various facilities designed to encourage walking and cycling.
As an example, this site from Capitol Region Council of Governments in Connecticut describes how TOD planning principles are being employed to foster smart growth in areas surrounding Hartford’s new BRT station. Furthermore, an article detailing their application in Westchester County to revitalize towns surrounding train stations.
Mobility
TODs encourage compact city growth by integrating land development and transit service. TODs enable more housing units to be constructed in less space, increase the number of people who can live and work without using cars, reduce traffic congestion and noxious air pollution levels, as well as providing greater access to jobs and city services.
TODs come in all forms and are often defined by proximity to public transit stations that offer multiple modes of travel – for instance, most New York City neighborhoods with subway stations are within walking distance.
Arlington County in Virginia mandates that most new developments be located within 1/4 to 1/2 miles (400 to 800 meters) of Washington Metro stations and high-volume bus lines for maximum walkability and mixed use development. Near these stations communities boast mixed use development with bike sharing programs and walkability features.
Economic Development
TOD can play an instrumental role in driving economic development across a region. By creating walkable, mixed-use areas that attract residents and shoppers who prefer sustainable transportation modes, TOD also increases affordable housing availability in cities while, if implemented with equity in mind, can open doors to jobs for low and moderate-income community members.
Arlington County, Virginia has focused its new development within a quarter to half mile of Washington Metro Rapid Transit stations in Rosslyn, Ballston and Clarendon, creating urban villages featuring high density housing with mixed uses and various forms of infrastructure. Century Park in Edmonton that’s expanding along an LRT line serves as another TOD example.
TOD development requires an intricate network of public and private partners with differing viewpoints and goals, including city government, MTA agencies, planning professionals and consultants, developers/investors/developer groups/stakeholders as well as members of the local business community.