Transit oriented development in America: strategies, issues, policy directions

By focusing growth around transit nodes, TOD is widely viewed as an effective tool for curbing sprawl and the car dependence it spawns. By channeling public investments into struggling inner-city settings, TOD can breathe new life and vitality into areas of need. TOD is as well poised as any land-use strategy for breaking the viscous cycle of sprawl and car dependency feeding off one another. By leveraging affordable housing and reducing the need for car ownership, a virtuous cycle can instead be set in motion, with increased transit usage helping to reduced traffic snarls and compact station-area development putting the brakes on sprawl � at least according to theory. This paper reviews strategies and issues related to TOD in America. Particular focus is given TOD�s role in linking public transit, housing policies, and sustainable urbanism. Experiences are drawn mainly from the United States that represents the global extreme of consumerism in both private transportation and housing. (a) For the covering entry of this conference, please see ITRD abstract no. E212919.