8.4 Urban planning and transit-oriented development

Urban planning and transit-oriented development are crucial for creating sustainable cities. These approaches focus on designing compact, walkable communities around public transit hubs, reducing car dependency and promoting efficient land use.

By integrating transportation and land use planning, cities can decrease emissions, improve quality of life, and boost economic vitality. This aligns with the broader goal of developing sustainable transportation systems that meet current needs without compromising future generations.

Transit-Oriented Development for Sustainability

Principles and Implementation of TOD

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• Transit-oriented development (TOD) creates compact, walkable communities centered around high-quality public transportation systems
• TOD principles include mixed-use development, higher density housing, and pedestrian-friendly streetscapes within a quarter to half-mile radius of transit stations
• Successful TOD implementation requires collaboration between urban planners, transit agencies, developers, and local communities to ensure integrated land use and transportation planning
• TOD strategies often incorporate form-based codes focusing on building and public space design to create pedestrian-friendly environments
• Effective TOD plans consider "desire lines" to optimize pedestrian movement patterns and inform walkway and crossing designs

Benefits and Impacts of TOD

• Reduces car dependency by encouraging public transit use, walking, and cycling
• Increases public transit ridership leading to more efficient and cost-effective transit systems
• Improves air quality by decreasing vehicle emissions (carbon dioxide, particulate matter)
• Enhances economic development in transit-served areas through increased foot traffic and business opportunities
• Reduces greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption associated with transportation
• Increases property values in TOD areas due to improved accessibility and amenities
• Improves quality of life for residents by providing better access to jobs, services, and amenities without relying on personal vehicles (grocery stores, parks, healthcare facilities)

Land Use Planning and Transportation

Zoning Regulations and Transportation Patterns

• Single-use zoning separates residential areas from commercial and industrial zones, often leading to increased car dependency and longer commute times
• Mixed-use zoning integrates residential, commercial, and recreational spaces, promoting walkability and reducing long-distance travel needs
• Parking requirements in zoning codes impact transportation choices by influencing parking availability and cost (minimum parking ratios, shared parking allowances)
• Form-based codes focus on physical form of buildings and public spaces, potentially creating more pedestrian-friendly environments and supporting public transit use
• "Jobs-housing balance" concept aims to reduce commute distances by locating employment centers near residential areas (office parks near housing developments)

Spatial Distribution and Travel Behavior

• Land use planning determines spatial distribution of activities and functions within urban areas, directly influencing travel distances and modes of transportation
• Compact development patterns reduce average trip lengths and promote walking, cycling, and public transit use
• Urban sprawl increases car dependency and average trip lengths, leading to higher transportation-related energy consumption
• Transit-supportive land use patterns concentrate higher density development along transit corridors to maximize ridership and efficiency
• Polycentric urban structures with multiple activity centers can reduce overall travel distances compared to monocentric city models

Pedestrian and Bicycle-Friendly Design

Infrastructure and Design Elements

• Wide sidewalks, protected bike lanes, and traffic calming measures create safe environments for non-motorized transportation
• "Complete streets" approach ensures streets accommodate all users including pedestrians, cyclists, transit users, and motorists
• Short block lengths, street-level retail, and public plazas increase walkability and foot traffic in urban centers
• Green infrastructure enhances attractiveness of active transportation routes (urban parks, tree-lined streets)
• Bike-sharing programs and secure bicycle parking facilities increase cycling rates in urban areas (bike lockers, covered racks)

Evaluation and Implementation Strategies

• Walk Score and Bike Score quantitatively measure effectiveness of pedestrian and bicycle-friendly urban design
• "Level of Traffic Stress" analysis assesses comfort and safety of cycling infrastructure for different user groups
• "Walkability audits" identify barriers and opportunities for improving pedestrian environments
• "Road diets" reconfigure street space to accommodate bike lanes and wider sidewalks (lane reduction, curb extensions)
• Tactical urbanism approaches test pedestrian and bicycle improvements through low-cost, temporary interventions (pop-up bike lanes, parklets)

Social Equity in Transportation Planning

Equity Considerations in Transportation

• Transportation equity ensures fair distribution of resources, benefits, and impacts across all segments of society
• Historical patterns of transportation investment often favored car-centric infrastructure, disadvantaging low-income communities and communities of color reliant on public transit
• "Spatial mismatch" concept highlights how inadequate transportation options limit job access for disadvantaged communities, perpetuating poverty cycles
• Transit-dependent populations (elderly, disabled, low-income individuals) disproportionately affected by gaps in public transportation coverage and service quality
• Environmental justice addresses unequal distribution of negative impacts (air pollution, noise) on marginalized communities

Strategies for Inclusive and Equitable Planning

• Inclusive planning processes actively engage diverse community stakeholders to ensure transportation investments reflect needs of all residents
• Equitable transit-oriented development strategies preserve affordable housing near transit hubs to prevent displacement due to gentrification
• "Mobility justice" framework considers broader social and historical contexts of transportation inequities
• "Community Benefits Agreements" ensure large-scale transportation projects provide tangible benefits to affected neighborhoods (local hiring, affordable housing)
• "Participatory budgeting" allows community members to directly influence transportation funding allocation decisions