What Is Transit Oriented Development?
Transit oriented development (TOD) is an approach to urban planning that focuses on creating compact, walkable, and mixed-use development areas around public transportation hubs. As a concept within urban economics and real estate development, TOD aims to maximize the amount of residential, business, and leisure space within easy walking distance of a transit station or corridor. This strategic development links land use and transportation, fostering more efficient use of both land and infrastructure while promoting sustainable development.34
By concentrating various amenities and housing options near transit, TOD seeks to reduce reliance on private vehicles, decrease traffic congestion, and support transit ridership. It often features higher-density housing and commercial spaces, designed to be pedestrian-friendly and to provide alternatives to driving.33
History and Origin
The conceptual roots of transit oriented development can be traced back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with the rise of streetcar suburbs, where communities naturally developed along transit lines.32 These early forms of "development oriented transit" saw private developers building transit infrastructure to benefit their land sales, rather than centering development around existing public systems.31
The modern codified concept of Transit Oriented Development (TOD) was notably advanced by urban planner and architect Peter Calthorpe in the late 1980s.30 His book, The Next American Metropolis, published in 1993, cemented TOD as a fixture of contemporary urban planning and a key principle of the New Urbanism movement.28, 29 Calthorpe envisioned TOD as a guide to sustainable community design, addressing regional growth, ecological concerns, and community social issues.27 The Congress for the New Urbanism (CNU), founded in 1993, also played a significant role in promoting TOD as an alternative to urban sprawl.26
Key Takeaways
- Transit oriented development (TOD) integrates compact, walkable, and mixed-use areas around public transit hubs.25
- Its primary goals include reducing car dependency, promoting public transportation use, and fostering sustainable urban growth.
- TOD can enhance access to jobs and services, stimulate local economies, and improve overall quality of life.24
- Challenges include rising property values and potential displacement of existing residents, which require careful planning and policy interventions.23
Interpreting Transit Oriented Development
Transit oriented development is interpreted as a holistic approach to urban growth that prioritizes accessibility and efficiency. When a new TOD project is initiated, it's typically understood as a strategic decision to enhance connectivity, reduce environmental impact, and create vibrant communities. Planners often focus on the "half-mile radius" around a transit station as the prime area for intensive TOD, representing a comfortable walking distance for most people.
The success of a TOD is often evaluated by its ability to increase transit ridership, foster diverse land use patterns, and create pedestrian-friendly environments.22 Effective TOD also involves coordinating zoning regulations to support higher densities and mixed uses, allowing for a broader range of housing types and commercial activities near transit nodes.21
Hypothetical Example
Consider the hypothetical city of Metroville, which plans to build a new light rail line. To maximize the benefits, Metroville’s planning department decides to implement transit oriented development strategies around the new "Central Station" stop.
The area around Central Station was previously characterized by low-density commercial buildings and large parking lots. Under the new TOD plan, the city rezones parcels within a quarter-mile radius to allow for multi-story residential buildings, ground-floor retail, and office spaces. A local developer, "UrbanConnect Inc.", acquires several plots and constructs a 10-story building featuring 150 apartments, retail shops on the ground floor, and a small community park.
UrbanConnect also dedicates space for a bike-share station and improves pedestrian walkways connecting directly to the Central Station entrance. This development aims to significantly reduce residents' need for personal cars, shortening their commuting times and fostering a more active lifestyle, as most daily needs are within walking distance or a short transit ride.
Practical Applications
Transit oriented development appears in various aspects of urban and regional planning, aiming to optimize the relationship between transportation and development.
- Urban Redevelopment: Many cities use TOD as a strategy for urban renewal, revitalizing underutilized areas around existing or new transit lines. This often involves transforming industrial sites or older commercial zones into dense, mixed-use neighborhoods.
*20 Reduced Transportation Costs: By providing easy access to public transportation and reducing the need for car ownership, TOD can significantly lower household transportation expenses. T19his also contributes to reduced traffic congestion and environmental emissions.
*18 Economic Development: TOD can stimulate local economic development by concentrating businesses and residents near transit, increasing foot traffic for retail, and attracting new investment. The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) supports TOD efforts, providing funding and emphasizing how it can lead to economic returns for surrounding areas.
*17 Housing Diversity: These developments often incorporate a range of housing types, from apartments to townhouses, promoting housing diversity and potentially increasing the supply of affordable housing options, especially when integrated with specific policies.
16## Limitations and Criticisms
While transit oriented development offers numerous benefits, it also faces limitations and criticisms. A significant concern is the potential for gentrification and the displacement of existing, often lower-income, residents. When new transit infrastructure and subsequent development enhance an area's desirability, property values and rents tend to rise, making it unaffordable for long-standing residents and businesses. T14, 15his can paradoxically push out the very people who rely most on public transit.
13Critics also point out that the assumed environmental benefits, such as reduced car usage, may not always materialize as intended. Research suggests that new, wealthier residents attracted to TODs may own more cars and use transit less frequently than the displaced lower-income population, potentially leading to unintended consequences for regional transportation patterns. F12urthermore, achieving a positive return on investment for such complex projects can be challenging due to the high upfront capital costs and coordination required among numerous stakeholders. E11ffective TOD requires robust policies aimed at preserving affordable housing and mitigating displacement to ensure equitable outcomes.
10## Transit Oriented Development vs. Urban Planning
Urban planning is a broad professional discipline that guides the physical growth and development of cities and regions. It encompasses a wide range of strategies and policies related to land use, infrastructure, environmental protection, and social well-being. U9rban planning sets the comprehensive framework for how communities develop, managing everything from zoning laws and transportation networks to public spaces and resource allocation.
Transit oriented development (TOD), by contrast, is a specific strategy or tool within the broader field of urban planning. It focuses intently on the symbiotic relationship between land development patterns and public transit systems. While urban planning addresses a city's entire fabric, TOD hones in on creating compact, mixed-use, and walkable neighborhoods specifically around transit stations. Its aim is to leverage public transportation investments to shape sustainable and efficient urban growth in targeted areas. Therefore, TOD is an application of urban planning principles, rather than being an alternative to it.
FAQs
What is the main goal of transit oriented development?
The main goal of transit oriented development is to create compact, walkable, and mixed-use communities around public transportation nodes. This aims to reduce car dependency, increase transit ridership, and foster more sustainable and livable urban environments.
8### How does TOD benefit a community?
Transit oriented development benefits a community by improving accessibility to jobs and services, stimulating local economic development, reducing traffic congestion and pollution, and offering a wider range of housing options, including affordable housing.
5, 6, 7### What are some challenges in implementing TOD?
Implementing transit oriented development can face challenges such as rising property values that lead to gentrification and displacement of existing residents. Other hurdles include securing funding, coordinating among multiple government agencies and private developers, and addressing community resistance.
3, 4### Is TOD only for large cities?
No, while transit oriented development is often associated with large metropolitan areas, its principles can be adapted for smaller cities and even suburban and rural contexts. The core idea is to concentrate development around a transit hub, whether it's a subway station in a major city or a bus terminal in a smaller town, to promote efficient land use and connectivity.1, 2