"It’s not about build-and-move on. It’s about building
communities around transit that endure." — Robert Cervero
Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) is no longer a
fringe strategy. It is rapidly becoming a foundational model for urban
regeneration, housing affordability, and climate-smart planning.
Around the globe, planners, policymakers, and developers are using TOD to
redesign growth patterns—aligning density with connectivity, and placing
people, not cars, at the center of city design.
This week alone, TOD made headlines in three continents:
- India's
Meerut is rewriting its master plan with 3,273 hectares zoned for TOD,
leveraging the Namo Bharat RRTS corridor
- Sydney,
Australia announced TOD rezoning for seven key suburbs to unlock 60,000
homes and 126,000 jobs
- San
Antonio, Texas adopted a new TOD zoning framework, enabling dense,
walkable development along its $446M Green Line corridor
Below is a curated roundup of insights, expert advice,
and working references—designed for professionals who are shaping, funding,
or advocating for smarter, transit-connected cities.
🌍 Global Round-Up: TOD in
Action
🇮🇳 Meerut’s TOD
Zones in the 2031 Master Plan
Meerut becomes the first city in India to formally
embed TOD zones in its master plan—an ambitious move to direct urban growth
toward transit nodes.
- 3,273
hectares identified for TOD
- 2,442
hectares already converted into seven TOD zones plus two special
development areas
- Anchored
by the Namo Bharat Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) and Meerut
Metro
- Allows
higher FAR and mixed-use development to support vertical
density, employment, and services
🔗 Economic
Times – Meerut TOD Master Plan 🔗 Times
of India – Namo Bharat TOD Integration
🇦🇺 Sydney’s
Transport-Oriented Rezoning for Suburban Growth
The NSW Government’s TOD strategy rezones seven
high-access suburbs for accelerated development. It’s a 15-year roadmap to
solving Sydney’s housing crisis via strategic, transit-aligned urbanization.
- Targets
60,000 new homes, 126,000 jobs
- Applies
to Bankstown, Bella Vista, Crows Nest, Hornsby, Kellyville, Macquarie
Park, and Homebush
- Offers
$520M in infrastructure funding
- Mandates
affordable housing quotas (up to 18%)
- Streamlines
development approvals near transit corridors
🔗 NSW
Planning – Accelerated TOD Precincts 🔗 Government
News – Sydney Suburbs Rezoned 🔗 ABC
News – Developer Activity & Community Response
🇺🇸 San Antonio’s
TOD Zoning Along the Green Line
In January 2025, San Antonio adopted a transformative
zoning overhaul supporting its new Green Line Advanced Rapid Transit (ART)
route. A TOD framework that emphasizes walkability, parking reform, and neighborhood
protections.
- Launches
three TOD district types: Mixed-Use (TOD-MX), Hybrid Industrial
(TOD-HI), and Transition (TOD-TR)
- Reduces
parking minimums by 75%
- Adds
design standards (height/setback limits) to protect adjacent neighborhoods
- Encourages
vertical density and mixed-income development near the $446M corridor
🔗 City
of San Antonio – TOD Zoning Overview 🔗 Community
Impact – Council Adoption 🔗 KSAT
– Public Feedback & Parking Debate
Real-World Case Studies with Tactical Lessons
One Westfield Place, New Jersey
This TOD project illustrates the balance between ambitious
development and community concerns. The project features 205 residential units
and 200,000 square feet of office space positioned within walking distance of
the NJ Transit station. Despite the proximity to transit and planned
pedestrian-friendly improvements, the project experienced litigation delays
rooted in neighborhood opposition. This case reinforces the importance of early,
transparent community engagement and flexible phasing to address concerns
while maintaining project momentum.
Wynwood Haus & DoMo at Cass Square, Florida
Located near Brightline’s rail station, these mixed-use TOD
projects capitalize on rising transit ridership, which surged 48%
year-over-year in April 2024. These developments demonstrate how data-driven
transit demand supports higher density, parking-reduced urban living.
Developers should leverage transit agency metrics to justify increased
densities and reduced parking minimums, aligning project economics with
sustainable urbanism.
West Haven, Connecticut
Once a stalled TOD district, West Haven’s revitalization
centers on converting a former school site into walkable, mixed-income housing.
The city leveraged state Department of Transportation funding to improve
sidewalks and transit station area amenities. This example highlights the
effectiveness of public funding partnerships, brownfield
redevelopment, and zoning overlays to jump-start TOD in mature communities.
Myth-Busting Transit-Oriented Development
|
Myth |
Reality |
|
TOD only benefits large, wealthy cities. |
TOD improves accessibility and reduces car dependency in
small and mid-sized cities, benefiting all income levels. |
|
TOD inevitably causes displacement and gentrification. |
Inclusionary zoning, affordable housing mandates, and
community involvement can ensure equitable TOD outcomes. |
|
High parking is essential for TOD success. |
Progressive TOD removes minimum parking requirements,
encouraging walkability and lowering project costs. |
Expert Insights to Guide Your TOD Strategy
Robert Cervero, University of California, Berkeley:
“Transit-oriented development isn’t just about building near transit
stations; it’s about weaving transit into the fabric of communities and
corridors to achieve equity, efficiency, and environmental sustainability.”
Cervero advocates for a system-wide, corridor-based approach—Next-Gen
TOD—moving beyond isolated node development toward integrated networks.
Ewan Dignon, Connecticut Housing Advocate:
Dignon emphasizes the need for zoning reforms that simplify permitting, reduce
parking minimums, and promote walkable, mixed-use development near transit in
mature suburbs to unlock market potential.
Washington State Legislature (HB 1491):
This legislative framework mandates multi-family zoning within transit zones,
reduces parking requirements by up to 75%, and offers bonus density incentives
tied to affordable housing, exemplifying effective policy tools for advancing
TOD.
Tactical Advice for Developers and Planners
- Implement
Zoning Overlays: Tailor TOD zones to local contexts, balancing density
with design controls.
- Leverage
Value Capture Financing: Utilize tax increment financing (TIF),
special assessments, and transit agency partnerships to fund
infrastructure improvements.
- Use
Density Bonuses: Incentivize affordable and workforce housing with
increased FAR and height allowances.
- Engage
Communities Early: Mitigate opposition through transparency,
workshops, and responsive design.
- Streamline
Permitting: Collaborate with local agencies to fast-track TOD projects
via streamlined review processes and CEQA exemptions where applicable.
FAQs
Q1: What defines a TOD zone?
A1: A TOD zone typically includes land within a ½-mile walking radius of
frequent transit service, where zoning encourages higher density, mixed uses,
and pedestrian-friendly design.
Q2: How does TOD promote affordability?
A2: Through affordable housing requirements, bonus densities, and
public-private partnerships that reduce costs and incentivize developers.
Q3: Can TOD succeed in traditionally car-centric
cities?
A3: Yes. San Antonio’s Green Line corridor is a prime example where TOD
zoning reforms have fostered walkable, transit-connected neighborhoods in a
car-dependent metro.
Call to Action: Engage and Transform Your Community
- Start
learning about TOD zoning and financing in your region.
- Join
local initiatives advocating for walkable, transit-connected
development.
- Share
your voice and success stories to inspire peers and policymakers.
- Take
action today to build more sustainable, equitable communities.
About the Author
Dr. Daniel Cham is a physician and medical-legal consultant
specializing in healthcare management, smart housing, and affordable housing
advocacy. He offers practical insights to professionals navigating the
intersection of healthcare and housing. Connect with Dr. Cham on LinkedIn:
linkedin.com/in/daniel-cham-md-669036285
Hashtags
#TransitOrientedDevelopment #TOD #UrbanDevelopment
#AffordableHousing #RealEstateStrategy #MixedUseDevelopment #ZoningReform
#WalkableCities #PublicTransit #SmartGrowth #HousingPolicy #SustainableUrbanism
#Planning #InfrastructureFinance
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