Transit-Oriented Development

Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) is a multi-use urban design strategy that clusters high-density housing, jobs, and services within walking distance of public transport hubs to reduce car dependency and promote sustainable urban growth. TOD promotes pedestrian-scale design, local economic vitality, and a diverse range of uses in pursuit of convenient, low-impact sustainability, while equitable transit-oriented development (eTOD) prioritizes inclusive community development that aims to manage gentrification, mitigate displacement, and encourage transit ridership. This course outlines and compares the tenets of TOD and eTOD, showcases exemplary TOD and eTOD projects from across the United States, and considers opportunities to improve development paradigms in the years to come as climate change compels more sustainable growth models.