transit-oriented vs transit ready development

A concept closely tied to the ideas of new urbanism is that developments should be designed to support transit through considerations such as density, mix of uses, walkability, and location in relation to transit services. Transit-oriented developments (TODs), as they are called, are still the exception, rather than the rule, but a study released in August 2004 shows that more than 100 have been built in the US. The report, Transit-Oriented Development in the United States: Experiences, Challenges and Prospects, shows that TOD boosts transit ridership and increases land values.

As reported in the October/November 2004 edition of New Urban News, the TOD report "cites specific new urban projects as evidence of a shift in the relationship between transit and development." An interesting finding is that the most dramatic changes may be achieved on greenfield sites, which suggests that where sprawl cannot be avoided, there are still opportunities to mitigate some of its negative impacts. The report contends that there is the possibility of inducing suburban residents to ride transit through design and proximity. However:

The problem with this strategy is that the opportunities for immediate transit connections are rare on greenfield sites. The report therefore recommends making developments on these sites "transit ready" - meaning that they should not only have sufficient density and walkability, but also a plan that considers the location and right of way for potential transit.