Transit Oriented Developments (TOD’s)-The Key Components

Transit Oriented Developments (TODs) concentrate urban development around rail stations in order to support transit use and around developing transit systems to connect existing and planned concentrations of development. They contribute to sustainable communities, economically, socially and environmentally.

The benefits of TODs have been well documented in densely occupied territories in Singapore, Japan, the United States, the European Union and parts of Australia. In Sydney, TOD’s are located around St Leonards, Chatswood, Hurstville, Kogarah, North Sydney and Bondi Junction rail precincts. Only 2% of rail precincts in NSW currently employ a TOD.

TODs encourage the use and access to local transit, providing an alternative to cars.

The benefits are an increase in usage of transit systems and fare revenues with the channelling of that revenue back into the transport system. The sale of airspace above and adjacent to, railway stations can support financing and improvement of transport infrastructure. Examples include the Subi Centre in Perth and developments in Copenhagen.

TODs create a vibrant community culture with health benefits salient to those types of communities as people experience a greater degree of social interaction. Through the reduced dependency on cars, the occupants of TOD’s typically have lower body mass indices and obesity related problems. TODs also provide higher levels of social interaction and sense of community (Bertolini 2000).

The Centre for Transit-Oriented Development (2004) found that residents located within walking distance of a railway station owned 0.9 cars per household compared with 1.6 cars per household in non-TOD centres. In the Green Paper on the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (2008, pp. 99-102), it was noted that Transport account for 14% of Australia’s total emissions. Of the total amount, 54% of emissions come from private vehicles. Residents who lived within close proximity to a TOD were between 2.5 to five times more likely to use public transport than those who did not and are far less likely to own a private vehicle reinforcing the benefits of TODs toward more sustainable ways of living.

TODs contribute greatly to sustainability as they encourage the use of rail systems which are one of the most energy efficient modes of transport. In addition, urban infill developments have proven to be far more energy efficient than fringe developments.

In addition to the Social and Transport benefits TODs tend to dramatically increase the number of residences and businesses in the area and also the land values.

Truly triple bottom line.