Skip to Content
Streetsblog USA home
Streetsblog USA home
Log In
Transit-Oriented Development

Wiki Wednesday: Transit-Oriented Development

dallas_streetcar.jpgStreetcar-served TOD in Dallas, TX

If the United States is in fact on the verge of a transit renaissance, transit-oriented development will have to be part of the mix. In this week's StreetsWiki entry, slinkp writes:

Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) grew popular in the 1980s and1990s as a response to suburban sprawl and a means of regeneratingeconomic growth in central cities. Thedevelopment is likely to include housing and/or offices as well asretail stores. A TOD also usually has relatively easy access for peopleon foot and bikes, while cars and other vehicles are discouraged fromparking too close to the station. As a result, TODs are oftenfriendlier to pedestrians and bicyclists than other forms of landdevelopment, and they encourage people to ride trains and buses ratherthan drive. The concept was slow to take off in the United States, buthas gained strength in the first decade of the 21st century as fuelcosts rise and traffic causes many Americans to rethink where they wantto live and work.

Despite evidence that "drive 'til you qualify" sprawl presents an unsustainable drain on financial and natural resources, planners have been reluctant to abandon it. Even in relatively transit-rich metro NYC, TOD has been slow to catch on beyond the realm of private-sector advocacy, though recent remarks indicate the concept is at least on the radar of state-level officials in Connecticut and New York.

Photo: RACTOD/Flickr

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog USA

Friday Video: Are We All Living in a ‘Carspiracy’?

How does "car-brain" shape the way we think about the world — even in relatively bike-friendly countries like the U.K.?

July 26, 2024

Friday’s Headlines Share and Share Alike

Bikeshares, and e-bikes and scooters generally, are becoming more popular. That's led to more injuries, highlighting the need for better infrastructure.

July 26, 2024

What the Heck is Going on With the California E-Bike Incentive Program?

The program's launch has been delayed for two years, and currently "there is no specific timeline" for it. Plus the administrator, Pedal Ahead, is getting dragged, but details are vague.

July 26, 2024

Talking Headways Podcast: Have Cities Run Out of Land?

Chris Redfearn of USC and Anthony Orlando of Cal Poly Pomona on why "pro-business" Texas housing markets are catching up to "pro-regulation" California and what it might mean for future city growth.

July 25, 2024

The Paris Plan for Olympic Traffic? Build More Bike Lanes

A push to make Paris fully bikable for the Olympics is already paying dividends long before the opening ceremonies.

July 25, 2024
See all posts