Transit oriented development

Abstract

Public transportation is important on all scales of planning. In fact, cities can use it as a catalyst for larger infrastructural developments. In recent times, sustainability practices have become of prime importance and developing an efficient network of public transportation is a huge step towards the same. Efficient public transportation not only reduces our dependence on private vehicles, but also helps build walkable cities which foster social equity, public health, economic development and environmental sustainability. Therefore, in order to encourage the use of public transportation; it must be made convenient to access. That is when transit oriented development (TOD) comes into picture. A TOD is a holistic community development around a transit node, line or corridor that encourages high-density mixed-use. Ideally, people wouldn’t mind walking up to quarter to half a mile to get to a bus or a train-stop. Hence, TODs are mostly planned and located within quarter to half a mile radius of a public transit facility. TOD sites indicate smart growth in the future by connecting people to diverse land uses. This thesis study focuses on TODs around light rail transit.