TOD, Transit Oriented Development
Tutor(s) Bruno Peeters
Campus: Ghent /BXL
Language: English
Format: Design Studiow
Image: Station Rotterdam Centraal, Photo © Jannes Linders (Front cover of A+U 586, © A+U Publishing Co., Ltd.2019.)
TOD is an approach to station or other transit hubs’ surrounding area development that optimizes walking and cycling distance to transit hubs for a mix of land use activities, including commercial, residential, leisure, and others served by intermodal transport.
TOD is defined as urban development that maximizes residential, business and leisure space within walking, cycling, or public transport distance from a (mass) transit hub.
TODs are centered around stations of high-quality transit systems, e.g., rail-based systems, Bus Rapid Transit, inter-modal passenger terminals, bus interchanges, or other transport infrastructure and public transport feeder services.
A critical element of TOD is the quality of its urban master plan and urban & architectural design to ensure future developments in the locality of the transit station can generate a high quality and sustainable future-proof cityscape.
In many developing countries, the concept of TOD has been limited, with some closely related initiatives to develop in the vicinity of transit stations being done mainly by the private sector. The Master Dissertation projects aim to explore TOD potentials from a distinct urban design and architectural perspective and capacitate proponents for public-led TOD initiatives and developments, following 6 key planning principles;
Connected
Connected means the transit station is seamlessly connected to other modes of transport. The people can safely, comfortably, and promptly move from the station to feeder networks such as jeepneys, buses, or other public or private transportation modes. This also means that people can reach their destination by walking or cycling from the station.
Compact and Mixed
Compact and mix means different daily life services are within reach in the TOD area. This also means that no time is wasted in accessing these daily life services. Most of the basic daily services are available within the TOD area. This also means that the immediate vicinity within the transit station is dedicated to mixed land uses to accommodate both residents as well as users of the transit station.
High Quality
A TOD area recognizes the importance of qualitative urban, architectural design and micro-climatic mitigation, resulting in a balanced urban environment and community. Critical elements include responsive architectural design(s) and generous allocation of open spaces such as public squares and parks in strategic locations of the TOD area where people can meet, relax, or do some activities. This also means that the living space per person in residential units is not compromised in increasing the population density of the area.
Dense
TOD area promotes higher densities than the surrounding areas to maximize the location of the transit station. This will mean that most of the activities are closer to the station. When the station area is properly designed and planned, more activities and supporting urban functions will be attracted to relocate closer to the station. People from other regions will also be encouraged to work near the station due to improved accessibility and less time spent travelling.
Resilient
The station and the surrounding area operations are not easily hampered by disasters. It is able to respond to emergency situations for both the residents as well as the railway passengers. This also means that there is enough space for evacuation during times of emergencies.
Inclusive
Inclusivity means the station and the TOD area are accessible to all sectors of society. There are provisions for vulnerable sectors such as women, children, elderly and disabled persons that will allow them to experience the benefits of TOD, and there is an allocation for affordable housing or ensuring that housing developments are well-connected to the station.
Suggested projects;
[A] North South Commuter Railway, Manila Philippines, six selected station areas considered highly suitable for TOD, featuring very different urban characteristics, ranging from high density central business districts, invested local communities, suburban or greenfields.
- Angeles
- Calumpit
- Blumentritt
- Buendia
- Bicutan
- Muntinlupa
[B] Brussels Aerotropolis, design and configuration of a new local, regional and high-speed railway, subway and tram station combined with a new airport terminal of Brussels Airport.
[C] Al Khor TOD; notorious for its car-oriented urban planning, Qatar’s Al Khor City station and TOD, terminal of the country’s ‘Red Line’ subway explores the merging of cutting-edge transportation developments such as on-demand autonomous vehicles, conventional railway infrastructure and its translation into architectural concepts.
[D] Students can propose their own site / location on condition sufficient TOD potentials are present (to be discussed).
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Summary & purpose
Project
Rapidly growing urban populations and economic development [in developing countries] has led to increased travel demand, car usage, and untenable traffic congestion. A quality public transport system is crucial to break this cycle. The World Bank’s ‘Cities on the Move’ emphasizes the importance of integrated land-use and transport planning.
The Master Project explores hands-on design-oriented solutions towards Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) to improve accessibility, catchment, urban qualities and viability of (future) mass-transit infrastructure focusing on transit functionality and integrated master planning, creating a virtuous cycle of accessible destinations, land value creation and high-quality urban environments.
Projects start from concrete case-studies with an emphasis on the importance and role of private sector participation, financing tools and qualitative architectural design, adhering to key-principles of Seamless Connectivity & Accessibility, Compact & Mixed, High-quality, Density, Inclusiveness and Resilience.
Projects may operate at different scale levels ranging from station design to TOD Master Plan, encompassing a wide variety of design and planning parameters including architectural design & engineering, sustainability, micro-climatic mitigation, affordable housing, (…).
Projects can start from provided concrete case-studies or students may propose their own case-study.
Expected output
Individual architectural and/or urban design project coherently presented to an external jury consistently supporting TOD objectives.
Possible Case-studies
- 11 individual and or combined stations of the Manila North South Commuter Railway (NSCR) and Metro Manila Subway Project (MMSP)
- Brussels-Aerotropolis, Integrated Brussels Airport-Railway Terminal Schaarbeek, Belgium
- Red Line Metro Extension – Al Khor City TOD – Qatar
Study trip
Students are encouraged to visit their chosen case-study area and will be supported to meet key stakeholders on location.
Recommended reading
TOD master planning guidelines will provide a comprehensive overview on TOD planning practice, following recommended reading materials may be consulted in advance;
- Cities On the Move – World Bank
- The Role of Rail in Decarbonizing Transport in Developing Countries – World Bank
- Transforming the Urban Space Through Transit-Oriented Development: The 3V Approach – World Bank
- Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the National Transport Policy (NTP) – National Economic and Development Authority
- A Guide to Comprehensive Land Use Plan Preparation Vol 3 – Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board
- Aerotropolis, The Way We’ll Live Next, John D. Kasarda – Atlantis, Dec. 2011 edition