Transit-Oriented Communities: A Primer On Key Concepts
August 13, 2013
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Introduction
Creating communities that are more “ transit-oriented” is one of the key goals of most land use and transportation plans in Metro Vancouver. Transit-oriented communities are not only more livable, sustainable, resilient and economically thriving, they also support higher levels of walking, cycling and transit and result in lower levels of automobile use and greenhouse gas emissions.
In response to requests from local government partners, TransLink has prepared this primer to highlight the key attributes of community design that most strongly influence travel behaviour. This is not an official policy document but is rather an effort to share current thinking on how community design can best support walking, cycling, and transit.
What are Transit-Oriented Communities?
Transit-Oriented Communities (TOCs) are places that, by their design, allow people to drive less and walk, cycle, and take transit more. In practice, this means concentrating higher-density, mixed-use,…
Nature Appropriation and Associations with Population Health in Canada’s Largest Cities
March 26, 2013
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Abstract
Earth is a finite system with a limited supply of resources. As the human population grows, so does the appropriation of Earth’s natural capital, thereby exacerbating environmental concerns such as biodiversity loss, increased pollution, deforestation and global warming. Such concerns will negatively impact human health although it is widely believed that improving socio-economic circumstances will help to ameliorate environmental impacts and improve health outcomes. However, this belief does not explicitly acknowledge the fact that improvements in socio-economic position are reliant on increased inputs from nature. Gains in population health, particularly through economic means, are disconnected from the appropriation of nature to create wealth so that health gains become unsustainable. The current study investigated the sustainability of human population health in Canada with regard to resource consumption or “ecological footprints” (i.e., the resources required to…
Transit-Oriented Communities Design Guidelines: Creating More Livable Places Around Transit In Metro Vancouver
July 1, 2012|Translink
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Introduction
Transit-oriented communities are places that, by their design, allow people to drive less and walk, cycle, and take transit more. In practice, this means they concentrate higher-density, mixed-use, human-scale development around frequent transit stops and stations. They also provide well-connected and well-designed networks of streets, creating walking- and cycling-friendly communities focused around frequent transit. Communities built in this way have proven to be particularly livable, sustainable, and resilient places. Transit-oriented communities also make it possible to operate efficient, cost-effective transit service. Because of these benefits, making communities more transit-oriented is one of the key goals of land use and transportation plans in Metro Vancouver.
In order to further the development of more transit-oriented communities in Metro Vancouver, this document provides guidance for community planning and design – based on best practices – in the areas…
Winnipeg Transit-Oriented Development Handbook
January 13, 2012
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Introduction to TOD Handbook
The City of Winnipeg’s new planning framework – anchored by OurWinnipeg and the Complete Communities Direction Strategy – is founded on environmental, social and economical solutions. This framework will prioritize building complete communities and accommodating growth and change in a sustainable way. This will be done by balancing growth in new and existing communities with intensification in certain areas of the city – namely, centres and corridors, major redevelopment sites, and downtown.
Transit-oriented development (TOD) is a key component of this balanced approach. By enabling density, mixed use, accessible urban design and sustainable transportation options, it:
contributes to the overall sustainability of the city,
provides a valued complement to existing land use patterns, and
offers a lifestyle option that appeals to many people.
A variety of sites can accommodate TOD, including, but not limited to, former industrial sites…
Transit Passenger Facility Design Guidelines
October 1, 2011
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Introduction
TransLink operates an integrated regional network of transit services that includes automated rail rapid transit, commuter rail, passenger ferry, highway coach, bus, trolley bus, community shuttle and para-transit. Every transit stop, station, exchange and their surrounding environments acts as a gateway to the transit system and represents the public face of TransLink.
TransLink has set a target for 2040 that more than half of all trips in Metro Vancouver will be made by walking, cycling or transit. TransLink has also articulated a Vision, Mission and Values Statement that focuses on building transportation excellence and enhancing livability by providing a sustainable transportation network that is embraced by the communities and the people it serves.\
This document has been prepared to support TransLink in achieving its long-term targets, with the following objectives to:
ensure consistent quality and design of transit passenger facilities across transportation…
Transit-Oriented Communities: A Literature Review On The Relationship Between The Built Environment And Transit Ridership
September 14, 2011
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Introduction
Two goals in Translink’s Transport 2040 strategy are to have most trips in the region occur by walking, cycling and transit and to have the majority of jobs and housing in the region located along the Frequent Transit Network . Since the built environment is a major determinant of travel demand and mode choice, achieving these goals will require the creation of more transit-oriented communities – places that, by their very design, invite people to drive their cars less and walk, cycle and take transit more as no single agency or organization in the Metro Vancouver region has the mandate or capacity to address all of the various inter-dependent components needed to create transit-oriented communities, this effort will necessarily be a collaborative one between Translink, Metro Vancouver, local municipalities, and the private sector, as well as the wider public . This literature review provides a research foundation from which to facilitate this important regional…
Transportation Transformation: Building Complete Communities and a Zero-Emission Transportation System in BC
May 2, 2011|Canadian Center for Policy Alternatives
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This paper contemplates a vision for transportation in BC that sees the province dramatically reduce, and eventually eliminate, the greenhouse gas emissions attributable to transportation. We outline a strategic framework that aims to achieve a target of zero fossil fuels in transportation by 2040 — equivalent to the target set by the Greenest City Action Team for the City of Vancouver. More importantly, we wrestle with the key equity and social justice issues that arise in such an aggressive rethink of transportation. In particular, we articulate policies to facilitate a smooth transition for already disadvantaged social groups (poor, disabled, working families, elderly, and marginalized groups), and to win over, rather than punish, the wide range of households who are dependent on cars for their mobility because they have “just played by the rules.” The challenges facing British Columbians living in rural parts of the province are greater than for urban areas, but not…
Cities of Opportunity
May 1, 2011|Partnership for New York City
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When the first edition of Cities of Opportunity was developed, we made a decision to rank cities only in their 10 indicator categories and to forego showing overall rankings to avoid the misperception of a contest. That risk seemed especially significant in 2007, when the media cast New York and London in a death match for global capital market kingship.
Testing the Benefits of On-street and Off-street Rapid Transit Alignments: Implications for Winnipeg’s Southwest Rapid Transit Corridor
April 14, 2011|Department of City Planning University of Manitoba
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With the uncertainty of future energy supplies and the impacts of global warming, rapid transit is becoming increasingly important as part of the transportation mix in North American cities. The conventional choice for rapid transit alignments are off-street corridors such as rail and highway right-of-ways. More recently, cities are locating rapid transit projects along arterial street right-of-ways, to influence more transit-supportive development rather than low-density, single use environments common throughout North America. Promoting transit alignments that provide the best opportunity for this type of development, known as development-oriented transit, is essential for influencing a change in urban transportation habits and building more resilient cities.
Proposed Walkability Strategy for Edmonton
September 1, 2010|City of Edmonton
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The overall purpose of the proposed Walkability Strategy for Edmonton is to develop an integrated set of potential actions to address a range of identified barriers to improving walkability in the city of Edmonton. Edmonton has become a fast-paced urban centre with ‘big city’ advantages, opportunities, and challenges. Like other large centres, the limits of funding, outdated regulatory frameworks, and increasing land mass, as well as the need for sustainable growth and improvements to quality of life, are challenging municipal decision makers to respond with integrated, innovative, and efficient solutions. Initiated by the Walkable Edmonton Committee and funded by Smart Choices and Alberta Health Services, the Walkability Strategy addresses a number of key urban form, infrastructure, and policy and program barriers that are impeding Edmonton from being a more-walkable city.
