The advent of TOD, or transit-oriented development, signifies a large step forward in modern urban planning. While developers from the private and public spheres have historically looked to suburbs for space within which to house growing populations, the cores of cities are now under examination. As concern for environmental sustainability has risen to the forefront of national discourse, transit-oriented development of urban infill, has gained tremendous favor.
Transit-oriented development is a planned design process for community development, promoting dense, mixed-use, and pedestrian friendly environments, concentrated around centers of public transport. The process is beneficial to stadium neighborhood residents, economies, and environments, and satisfies the “triple bottom line”, for responsible investment. This concept mandates that ventures should not only be financially sound, but also have an acceptable environmental, and social cost.
A transit-oriented community is densest nearest its central transit hub. The community decreases in density, as the distance to a hub grows. The developments should have multiple modes of public transit, and are thoughtfully designed to minimize vehicle traffic, and to ease pedestrian movement. Planners of these communities take tremendous care in providing green space, to provide residents not only with space for recreation, but also to control urban heat effects, storm water, and to further carbon sequestration.
The benefits of this development methodology are many, particularly with respect to Chicago. TOD communities have the potential to revitalize blighted areas, to clean polluted urban air, and to decrease social and economic isolation. The CTA runs through many areas deserving of these services; for example, the region around the Sox 35th stop, at U.S Cellular Field. Public authorities should do all they can to further TOD’s influence in development discussions.
Sources:
[1] http://www.valleymetro.org/metro_projects_planning/transit_oriented_development
[2] http://infillphiladelphia.org/about-infill-philadelphia.php
[3] http://www.academia.edu/5492754/Transit_Oriented_Development_An_Approach_to_Sustainable_development