Environmentally Sustainable Transit Oriented Development - Urbanism and Smart Growth for a Better Future

Transit-oriented development (TOD) seeks to maximize access to mass transit and nonmotorized transportation with centrally located rail or bus stations surrounded by relatively high-density commercial and residential development.TOD occurs at 3 different scales: national, regional, and local. This smart growth concept is being embraced in North American and around the world.

At a local level, development along the transporation corridors connect dense walkable communities to the urban core. Perhaps a workable solution to peak oil and global warming, to encourage individuals to drive less and creating vibrant livable communities, as traffic congestion and long hour commutes becomes a major concern in the Metropolitan area.

BENEFITS

>Higher quality of life
>Better places to live, work, and play
>Greater mobility with ease of moving around
>Increased transit ridership
>Reduced traffic congestion and driving
>Reduced car accidents and injuries
>Reduced household spending on transportation, resulting in more affordable housing
>Healthier lifestyle with more walking, and less stress
>Higher, more stable property values
>Increased foot traffic and customers for area businesses
>Greatly reduced dependence on foreign oil
>Greatly reduced pollution and environmental destruction
>Reduced incentive to sprawl, increased incentive for compact development
>Less expensive than building roads and sprawl
>Enhanced ability to maintain economic competitiveness

 Related Articles:

SPACING - Transit City

Transit Oriented Development for GTA

CMHC  - Comparing Toronto Neighbourhoods

York Region - Mix-Used Transit Villages