Transit Oriented Development Essay -- Urban Trasportation Essays

Transit Oriented Development Introduction Policy makers across the country are focusing on numerous ways to combat sprawl throughout the United States. New movements, such as new urbanism, have come to the forefront in this fight. This review is looking into a new concept in the fight on sprawl, called Transit-oriented development or TOD. Although this new tool to fight sprawl is rapidly becoming a popular method, it is still a new concept and needs to be studied further. This review will provide insight into the historical background of this developing idea, look at case studies of how this new strategy has worked and failed so far, and provide a glimpse into what the future holds for this novel concept. Transit-oriented Design Objectives Transit-oriented development is defined as the creation of compact, walkable communities centered around train systems. TODs mix residential, retail, office, open space, and public uses in a walkable environment, making it convenient for residents and employees to travel by transit, bicycle, foot, or car† (2). Like conventional development around transit stations, TOD aims to increase transit ridership. However, unlike conventional development around a transit station, TOD plans are based on goals of improving transportation options, creating walkable communities, as well as improving â€Å"neighborhood cohesion, social diversity, conservation, public safety, and community revitalization† (3). TOD design principles contain elements that are intended to achieve these social, neighborhoods, regional, and transportation goals. If all of these goals are met development will become focused on high-density areas instead of a centrifugal developmental process. Transit-orie nted develop... ...ng our natural and cultural landscapes from uncontrolled development. Works Cited 1. Barton, Michael and Charles, John A. The Mythical World of Transit-Oriented Development: Light Rail and the Orenco Neighborhood, Hillsboro, Oregon. Cascade Policy Institute (2003). 2. Calthorpe, Peter. The Next American Metropolis: Ecology, Community, and the American Dream. New York: Princeton Architectural Press (1993). 3. Cervero, Robert. Rail Transit and Joint Development: Land Market Impacts in Washington, D.C. and Atlanta. APA Journal 60 (Winter 1994): 83-94. 4. Cort, Cheryl and Mary Gute. Building Healthier Neighborhoods with Metrorail: Improving Joint Development Opportunities. A Chesapeake Bay Foundation Report (2001). 5. Menotti, Val Joseph. The New Transit Town: Best Practices in Transit-Oriented Development. APA 71 (Winter 2005) pg. 111 Transit Oriented Development Essay -- Urban Trasportation Essays Transit Oriented Development Introduction Policy makers across the country are focusing on numerous ways to combat sprawl throughout the United States. New movements, such as new urbanism, have come to the forefront in this fight. This review is looking into a new concept in the fight on sprawl, called Transit-oriented development or TOD. Although this new tool to fight sprawl is rapidly becoming a popular method, it is still a new concept and needs to be studied further. This review will provide insight into the historical background of this developing idea, look at case studies of how this new strategy has worked and failed so far, and provide a glimpse into what the future holds for this novel concept. Transit-oriented Design Objectives Transit-oriented development is defined as the creation of compact, walkable communities centered around train systems. TODs mix residential, retail, office, open space, and public uses in a walkable environment, making it convenient for residents and employees to travel by transit, bicycle, foot, or car† (2). Like conventional development around transit stations, TOD aims to increase transit ridership. However, unlike conventional development around a transit station, TOD plans are based on goals of improving transportation options, creating walkable communities, as well as improving â€Å"neighborhood cohesion, social diversity, conservation, public safety, and community revitalization† (3). TOD design principles contain elements that are intended to achieve these social, neighborhoods, regional, and transportation goals. If all of these goals are met development will become focused on high-density areas instead of a centrifugal developmental process. Transit-orie nted develop... ...ng our natural and cultural landscapes from uncontrolled development. Works Cited 1. Barton, Michael and Charles, John A. The Mythical World of Transit-Oriented Development: Light Rail and the Orenco Neighborhood, Hillsboro, Oregon. Cascade Policy Institute (2003). 2. Calthorpe, Peter. The Next American Metropolis: Ecology, Community, and the American Dream. New York: Princeton Architectural Press (1993). 3. Cervero, Robert. Rail Transit and Joint Development: Land Market Impacts in Washington, D.C. and Atlanta. APA Journal 60 (Winter 1994): 83-94. 4. Cort, Cheryl and Mary Gute. Building Healthier Neighborhoods with Metrorail: Improving Joint Development Opportunities. A Chesapeake Bay Foundation Report (2001). 5. Menotti, Val Joseph. The New Transit Town: Best Practices in Transit-Oriented Development. APA 71 (Winter 2005) pg. 111