Fall 2013 - 63665 - PA388K - Advanced Topics in Public Policy

Transit-Oriented Development

On November 2, 2004, voters in Austin, Texas gave the green light to the region's 32-mile commuter rail plan. Austin joined over 50 other American cities in building new rail transit in the modern era.
On March 22, 2010, the commuter rail started passenger services while other rail and express bus lines are being put on drawing tables. In light of the growing demand for mass transit, transit-oriented development (TOD) as an integrated land use-transportation development strategy has gained momentum in Austin. The demographic and economic trends in the United States indicate increasing demand for TOD in the future. Capital Metro will open a new bus service, MetroRapid, in 2014, offering additional development opportunities.
What are the essential elements of TOD? What potential benefits will TOD generate? What are the guiding principles for planning and designing TOD? What are the opportunities and challenges for TOD in Austin?
In this course, participants will conduct a study of a TOD site based on existing literature and best practice of TOD in the world, investigating issues pertaining to TOD planning and design, exploring land use development and regulation, value capture, and other relevant concepts. This is a research oriented seminar course. The learning objectives are:

Clarify TOD definition, typology, and other conceptual issues;

Know the best practice of TOD in the U.S. and abroad;

Understand TOD implications in terms of transit ridership, property values, transportation impacts, environmental impacts, equity issues, community place making, and other aspects of transportation and urban policy;

Practice TOD design as it relates to land use functions, pedestrian access, parking, and neighborhood design in the station area;

Identify barriers and strategies to implement TOD (institutional, financial, regulatory, etc.)

Using concepts and research, develop a proposal for a specific TOD project.

Textbooks

Cervero, Robert, 2004. Transit-Oriented Development in the United States: Experiences, Challenges, and Prospects. TCHRP Report 102, Transportation Research Board, Washington, DC. (RC) (Required, free e-copy available online)

Calthorpe, Peter, 1993. The Next American Metropolis: Ecology, Community, and the American Dream. New York: Princeton Architectural Press. (PC) (Recommended)

Reconnecting America reports, especially

TOD 101: Transit-Oriented Development And Why Now? (RCA1)

TOD 202 Station Area Planning: How To Make Great Transit-Oriented Places (RCA2)

(Free copy downloads online)

Cervero, Robert & Arrington, G.B., 2008, Effects of TOD on Housing, Parking, and Travel, TCRP Report 128, Transportation Research Board, Washington, D.C. (C-A)  (free download online)

Other supplementary materials will be provided in electronic files.

Prerequisite
Basic Statistics