Reasoning & Evidence
Integrating transit oriented design (TOD) into housing projects considers resident proximity to the transportation services that provide them access to employment, health services, social gatherings, etc. TOD is a grid-like pattern with diverse land use, high density, and well-connected street networks with residences that are within a 10 minute walking distance from a transit station.(37, 38) With proximal public transit, residents are enabled to travel efficiently while discouraging car dependence. Social connection declines more with longer commute times than it does with geographic distance; placing public transit stations within a walking distance from neighborhoods increases the likelihood that residents will travel to access social interactions.(33) On the contrary, inequalities in proximity to public transportation discourages neighborhoods from accessing community resources,(34) as does community transport that does not adequately cater for the transport needs of those with limited mobility (e.g., the elderly or those with disabilities.(66)
There are a multitude of benefits from progressing away from car dependence. Promoting public transit increases travel sustainability via reducing car emissions and traffic. It also increases disposable income when people do not have to pay the cost for owning and operating a vehicle. Additionally, it increases transportation access for individuals who cannot drive, like youth, older adults, or people with disabilities.(35) A strategy to encourage equitable transit-oriented design involves pursuing mixed use developments that are near existing transportation infrastructure, like developing a housing project near a bus station. To discourage car dependence, planners can reduce the number of parking spaces for new developments. It is important to consider transit equity, and existing low-income neighborhoods that experience transit disadvantage. The Rebuilding America’s Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grant is a federal investment program dedicated to rebuilding critical transportation infrastructure in historically disadvantaged regions or areas of persistent poverty.(36)
Examples of Community Implementation
Concord, Massachusetts: The New Haven-Hartford-Springfield Rail Program successfully implemented sustainable transit-oriented design in the small town of Concord. Planners redesigned the Concord Commons development to include a mix of retail stores, offices, and affordable housing units within a walking distance of the commuter rail station. This allowed residents of various incomes to live closer to a transit hub while enjoying the amenities created from a reduction in parking. The developers negotiated a 15% parking reduction, which opened up space for a landscaped garden and pathway that increased walkability and provided a green buffer between the parking lot and the surrounding neighborhood.
Flagstaff, Arizona: The Mountain Line program works to fill transportation gaps in Flagstaff neighborhoods by providing discounted pass programs and alternative transit options where public transit is not accessible. The program includes a free service that offers rides for individuals experiencing homelessness to connect them to their surrounding community. They also have a paratransit service that facilitates door-to-door services for residents with disabilities to assist with first and last-mile connectivity and transit accessibility.
Reference: The SOCIAL Framework: Housing Sector Supplemental Brief
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