Transformative Potential of Transit-Oriented Development
Urban sprawl is the unrestricted outward expansion of urban areas, characterised by low-density development and car-centric urban design. The causes of sprawl can be attributed to many factors. However, this article focuses on how population growth and the rise of automobiles (private transportation) are causing sprawl and suggests transit-oriented development (TOD) as a possible solution.
Brief Overview of Urban sprawl and urban challenges
Urban areas are influential economic hubs, their wealth and prosperity attract people. As people move into cities, there is greater demand for urban amenities (housing, utilities etc). However, the slow responding supply of infrastructure fails to meet the growing needs, ultimately leading to sprawl mainly consisting of low-density houses. Additionally, the increasing usage of private transportation which has resulted in automobile cities (Figure 1.1) also further fuels sprawl because of the greater land needed to accommodate car-related infrastructure (Ostermeijer et al., 2022). The resultant urban sprawl and changing transportation patterns lead to negative impacts endured by each city dweller. Challenges like traffic congestion, loss of biodiversity, depletion of open spaces, increased infrastructure costs etc, lead to decreasing social, economic, and environmental conditions within the city, leading to an overall decrease in the quality of life.
A key takeaway from the process and challenges resulting from sprawl is that land use and transportation are interlinked. Thus, when planning to create sustainable communities, such aspects cannot be viewed and implemented individually but must be simultaneously considered to utilise their linked relationship.
What is Transit Oriented Development (TOD)?
TOD encompasses this co-existing relationship and pushes for the “creation of compact, walkable, pedestrian-oriented, mixed-use communities centred around high-quality train systems”. TOD serves as an alternative to low-density and car-dependent land-use patterns. Its planning policy which promotes compact neighbourhoods, high population density, diversified land uses and abundant access to open spaces helps in combating many of the urban challenges caused by urban sprawl.
What are the potential benefits of using such a planning method and how do they help curb urban sprawl and its challenges?
TOD’s aim offers a myriad of benefits when effectively planned and implemented. Some include:
Reduced traffic congestion — The greater focus on development around transit hubs, encourages people to use public transport rather than private cars, helping to overall reduce traffic congestion.
Environmental Benefits — TOD focuses on denser development, which helps prevent urban sprawl and land degradation, allowing for greater protection of the surrounding natural habitat and biodiversity. The reduced usage of cars also helps in reducing pollution and greenhouse gas emissions related to car use, helping to improve air quality and negate climate change impacts.
Reduce inequality — TOD can help address socio-spatial inequality to better meet the needs of marginalised populations. TODs can focus on integrating mixed-income and mixed-land-use development to make it possible for people of all incomes to have greater accessibility to basic services, jobs, and transit options.
Improved Public health — Through matching density and better land-use management, TOD reduces motor vehicle usage and related air and noise pollution. Moreover, several studies have shown that reduced car usage also improves mental health by reducing instances of anxiety, depression and improving sleep patterns (Wilson, 2023). Greater walking accessibility encourages physical activity and increases chances of social interaction within the community, further helping to improve mental and physical health.
Improved road safety — Having greater and easier connections to public transportation routes helps to reduce car usage, in turn reducing road injuries. Additionally, TOD’s focus on shared street mentality through infrastructure provision can improve active mobility conditions whilst making streets safer for these individuals.
Increased city efficiency — TODs with their compact urban form improve resource usage through greater density and the possibility of financing services which otherwise would not be economically viable in low-density sprawling areas. The services present enable people to make smarter and more efficient choices, in turn helping the city save resources, money and time.
What are some possible limitations of TOD?
Even with the immense benefits TOD provides, planners need to be aware of some of the limitations and act rightfully to decrease their presence. Some of the most common barriers to TOD development may come in these forms:
High costs — Creating new transit lines and restructuring existing neighbourhoods into a TOD layout involves significant upfront financial resources which may pose a hurdle for many communities eager to adopt such forms of urban structure.
Community resistance — TOD’s invasive approach of restricting a neighbourhood may lead to “NIMBY” behaviour from residents, as it may alter the neighbourhoods existing character, identity, or values, lead to unnecessary damage, or go against the community’s vision.
Worsening social inequality — TOD’s restructuring attempts can cause gentrification, worsening social inequality as lower-income households and small businesses are displaced due to the rising land prices in the developed areas. Such actions may cause lower-income households to move further away from employment and transportation hubs, leading to greater marginalisation.
Policy and zoning constraints — policies and zoning laws over land use may hinder the development of TODs by preventing mixed-land use development or high-density development in certain areas. This can reduce the effectiveness of TOD significantly and negate many of the benefits it may provide to the community.
Conclusion
TODs can play a powerful part in the transition away from sprawling, car-centric city landscapes towards an urban future which promotes inclusive and sustainable communities built around transportation corridors. By embracing the relationship between land-use development and transportation, TODs can focus on alleviating urban challenges while revitalising communities. However, in ensuring TOD’s success, a delicate balance must be struck between its growth and the existing social fabric of the communities.
Additional Reading on TOD’s:
Transit Oriented Development Institute — http://www.tod.org/home.html
Transit Oriented Development: A Literature Review: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/346793538_TRANSIT_ORIENTED_DEVELOPMENT_TOD_A_Literature_Review
References:
Barbopoulos, N., Baltas, P., & Milakis, D. (2005) The impacts of rail transit on urban sprawl and mobility of the western city from late ninetieth century to the Second World War. The case of London and Los Angeles, Proceedings of the 3rd International Conference “Tourism and the History of Transport, Traffic and Mobility”. York (UK), October.
Ostermeijer, F. et al. (2022b) ‘Automobiles and urban density’, Journal of Economic Geography, 22(5), pp. 1073–1095. doi:10.1093/jeg/lbab047.
Wilson, K. (2023) Study: How cars are making us all depressed (even if we don’t drive) — streetsblog USA, STUDY: How Cars Are Making Us All Depressed (Even If We Don’t Drive) — Streetsblog USA. Available at: https://usa.streetsblog.org/2020/10/28/study-how-cars-are-making-us-all-depressed-even-if-we-dont-drive.