Transit-oriented development (TOD), is an emerging national trend that seeks to create vibrant, liveable communities centered on high-quality train systems. TOD helps reduce driving and energy use by clustering housing, business activities and leisure pursuits within walking distance of public transit services.
TOD neighborhoods feature higher density developments with mixed uses that are within a quarter mile of a transit stop, encouraging walking and cycling while creating a more connected community.
Better Access to Jobs
Studies are increasingly showing the positive impact job accessibility has on employment outcomes for lower-income households. One way of increasing access is via transit-oriented development.
TODs create communities in which residents live, work and play within walking distance of an effective public transport service, thereby helping reduce car travel and parking costs as well as greenhouse gas emissions, traffic congestion and air pollution.
TOD neighborhoods typically consist of areas with sufficient density to support frequent transit service and offer an array of housing types including single-family homes, townhomes and apartments. Furthermore, TOD locations tend to have an enormously positive effect on local economic development by creating jobs, businesses and incomes (Heres, Jack and Salon 2014; Noland Chatman Klein 2014; Cervero Arrington and Portland 2009).
TODs often revolve around public transit stations and feature offices, residential units and retail stores within walking distance from one another; lower density areas spread outward from these ‘transit villages’ which may exist anywhere from small towns to major cities.
More Affordability
TOD offers economic efficiencies and quality of life benefits while making housing more affordable. TOD neighborhoods typically feature lower housing costs compared to suburban communities due to reduced land requirements for parking spaces.
TOD can also provide affordable housing options for households of all incomes, since cities can build affordable units near transit stations using HOME grants and other federal programs that offer subsidies. While they must remain affordable for a limited amount of time, their availability may continue beyond eligibility period expiry.
TOD development may also increase housing prices, which could negate transportation cost savings for some residents. To mitigate this risk, TOD development must be combined with affordable housing policies from local governments – for example reducing parking requirements, permitting mixed use development, or offering density bonuses – in order to promote housing near transit and avoid this scenario.
Better Environmental Impact
Transit-oriented development (TOD) centers around high quality rail systems. This enables vibrant and livable communities that do not depend solely on automobiles to thrive while simultaneously decreasing traffic congestion and air pollution while simultaneously increasing social interaction and community spirit.
TODs (Target Office Districts) are station areas containing both residential and commercial elements, from two- to four-story apartment blocks to small-lot single family homes within half-mile from their station, which provide adequate density to support transit ridership and activity (Pushkarev and Zupan 1977; Cervero et al 2004).
TODs feature streetscape designs that are pedestrian-friendly and prioritize sustainability, such as permeable pavements, rain gardens and street trees that help ease urban sewer systems in times of heavy rainfall. Residents in TODs also drive 45% less than those living in automobile-dependent neighborhoods – saving a considerable amount each year on fuel and maintenance costs (Bailey 2008). Furthermore, studies have demonstrated that increased densities near transit stations reduce greenhouse gas emissions and building energy consumption by 9-25% as well as respiratory impacts and smog formation compared with these developments living elsewhere (Bailey 2008).
Sense of Community
Sense of community is a potent force in society. It can bring people together into cohesive groups or split them apart – such as urban vigilante groups or neighborhoods advertised as exclusive, fencing themselves off and excluding those they do not belong. Unfortunately, such acts have the potential to cause significant polarization and division within societies as a whole.
Transit-oriented development (TOD) offers an effective means of creating a sense of community by offering walkable mixed use areas centered on high quality transit services. Studies of sense of community suggest that real and ideal scores on Glynn’s psychological measure of sense of community correlate to expected length of neighborhood residency, satisfaction with it, social bonding among neighbors, and how many can be identified by name. A strong sense of community can foster neighborhood participation and civic engagement, ultimately strengthening local economies and regional competitiveness. Through eTOD strategies, low-income residents may benefit from new developments without becoming victims or being displaces due to new projects – creating healthy neighborhoods full of opportunity.