The Link Between Sprawl And Mortgage Defaults
January 28, 2010
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The theory that the mortgage default crisis was not only a consequence of lax lending standards or predatory lending or uninformed consumers, but also a result of urban sprawl has received important empirical support from a study by sponsored by the National Resources Defense Council.
"Reducing Foreclosures and Environmental Impacts through Location-Efficient Neighborhood Design" found a direct, statistically significant link between the high costs of personal transportation imposed by poor location efficiency and a much higher risk of default. In one example, the study showed that every dollar saved in transportation cost allowed a family to spend more than $3 more in mortgage payments with no higher probability of default.
The report by Stephanie Y. Rauterkus of the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Grant I.
"Reducing Foreclosures and Environmental Impacts through Location-Efficient Neighborhood Design" found a direct, statistically significant link between the high costs of personal transportation imposed by poor location efficiency and a much higher risk of default. In one example, the study showed that every dollar saved in transportation cost allowed a family to spend more than $3 more in mortgage payments with no higher probability of default.
The report by Stephanie Y. Rauterkus of the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Grant I.
Creating places that people love
January 27, 2010
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[This is the final blog post in a series by David Dixon FAIA, principal-in-charge Planning and Urban Design at Goody Clancy. Dixon's posts are part of a series of expert blogs on TOD highlighting work and research that experts are doing in the field.]
North Dakota Student Transit Attitudes
January 26, 2010
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The Small Urban & Rural Transit Center of the Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute has concluded survey of college students that attempted to gauge their attitudes about public transit for the course of their years at North Dakota State University.
"The Changing Attitudes and Behaviors of University Students Toward Public Transportation: Final Report" found that even though nearly every student had a vehicle available one-third of students used transit to commute to campus occasionally, while two-thirds used the bus to travel between their residence and campus at least once.
"In the future, two-thirds of students stated that they will ride transit occasionally or regularly," the study found. "Among these students, 64 percent stated that they would at the least consider voting for increased funding for transit."
The study was begun in the fall of…
"The Changing Attitudes and Behaviors of University Students Toward Public Transportation: Final Report" found that even though nearly every student had a vehicle available one-third of students used transit to commute to campus occasionally, while two-thirds used the bus to travel between their residence and campus at least once.
"In the future, two-thirds of students stated that they will ride transit occasionally or regularly," the study found. "Among these students, 64 percent stated that they would at the least consider voting for increased funding for transit."
The study was begun in the fall of…
Researchers Measure Rail's Positive Impact In Millions Of Dollars
January 25, 2010
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University of Minnesota researchers working on the Transitway Impacts Research Program have concluded that since the Hiawatha light-rail transit line began operation in 2004 it has increased the value of both single-family and multi-family residential properties in surrounding areas. The total residential property value increase exceeds $47 million, according to the researchers. In addition, researchers found the transitway has spurred new housing construction in the nearby area relative to a control area.
Blueprint For Transit-Oriented Communities
January 22, 2010
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Community members, planners, and policymakers working on station area planning efforts in Washington State will benefit from "Transit-oriented communities: A Blueprint for Washington State," a report produced by Transportation Choices Coalition, Futurewise and GGLO.
The guidebook addresses the political and policy context for planning for transit-oriented communities as well as the scientific evidence supporting the social and environmental benefits to transit-oriented communities.
The overarching goal of high-performing transit-oriented communities, the report notes, is to provide housing and transportation choices that give residents access to homes, jobs, recreation opportunities, stores, and community services to meet their daily needs, without having to rely on a motorized personal vehicle.
Working within the typology of the station areas -- the unique…
The guidebook addresses the political and policy context for planning for transit-oriented communities as well as the scientific evidence supporting the social and environmental benefits to transit-oriented communities.
The overarching goal of high-performing transit-oriented communities, the report notes, is to provide housing and transportation choices that give residents access to homes, jobs, recreation opportunities, stores, and community services to meet their daily needs, without having to rely on a motorized personal vehicle.
Working within the typology of the station areas -- the unique…
Cost And Efficiency In Reducing GHG Emissions
January 21, 2010
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The preliminary findings of the International Transport Forum's look at the cost and efficiency of reducing transport GHG emissions suggests there is much that
can be achieved within the transport sector at low cost.
"Reducing Transport GHG Emissions: Opportunities And Costs -- Preliminary Findings" finds government policy-makers can avoid unnecessary costs if climate-change mitigation is focused on the most cost-effective actions.
Among those cost-effective actions are adoption of low-carbon fuels, improvements in engine technology, better traffic management, improved land‐use planning and promotion of high quality public transport.
Taxation as a motivational tool will play a significant role. As an example, the report says fuel efficiency standards accompanied by appropriate fuel…
can be achieved within the transport sector at low cost.
"Reducing Transport GHG Emissions: Opportunities And Costs -- Preliminary Findings" finds government policy-makers can avoid unnecessary costs if climate-change mitigation is focused on the most cost-effective actions.
Among those cost-effective actions are adoption of low-carbon fuels, improvements in engine technology, better traffic management, improved land‐use planning and promotion of high quality public transport.
Taxation as a motivational tool will play a significant role. As an example, the report says fuel efficiency standards accompanied by appropriate fuel…
Enhancing sustainability
January 20, 2010
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[This is the fifth in a series of blog posts by David Dixon FAIA, principal-in-charge Planning and Urban Design at Goody Clancy. Dixon's posts are part of a series of expert blogs on TOD highlighting work and research that experts are doing in the field.]
New FTA Rules Buoy Streetcar Fans
January 19, 2010
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Twin Cities streetcar supporters are among many around the country celebrating the Federal Transit Administration's decision to change its funding criteria that moves away from narrow cost and performance criteria to a consideration of all the factors that help communities reduce their carbon footprint, spur economic activity, and relieve congestion.
Sam Zimbabwe, director of the Washington, D.C.-based Center for Transit-Oriented Development, told Finance & Commerce, a Minneapolis business newspaper, that while this change does not make any more federal money available for transit projects, it's “a tremendously important Step 1. Because, like it or not, these federal rules push the shape that local projects take.”
The federal change is seen as a major victory for those advocating for three extra stations for the Central Corridor light rail line. Under the old rules, the inclusion of the stations would have pushed the project below federal funding…
Sam Zimbabwe, director of the Washington, D.C.-based Center for Transit-Oriented Development, told Finance & Commerce, a Minneapolis business newspaper, that while this change does not make any more federal money available for transit projects, it's “a tremendously important Step 1. Because, like it or not, these federal rules push the shape that local projects take.”
The federal change is seen as a major victory for those advocating for three extra stations for the Central Corridor light rail line. Under the old rules, the inclusion of the stations would have pushed the project below federal funding…
Looking For A Fix For Bay Area's Transit Woes
January 15, 2010
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With transit agencies across California suffering from the double-whammy of the local economic recession and the state's decision to stop funding transit operations, the question of what needs to be done to ensure transit not only survives but thrives grows large.
One key to that future is transit-oriented development, according to an article by the Bay Area News Group and published in several of the group's newspapers.
"This is the way of the future," Reconnecting America's Allison Brooks explains in the article. "The trend is there, and a lot of cities want to make this happen. But the investment isn't there."
Land use and planning will play a key role in the future of Bay Area transit, according to the article.
"The most recent government survey available, from 2000, shows those living within a half-mile of a Bay Area ferry or train station were four times more likely than others to take transit. Only 4 percent of those…
One key to that future is transit-oriented development, according to an article by the Bay Area News Group and published in several of the group's newspapers.
"This is the way of the future," Reconnecting America's Allison Brooks explains in the article. "The trend is there, and a lot of cities want to make this happen. But the investment isn't there."
Land use and planning will play a key role in the future of Bay Area transit, according to the article.
"The most recent government survey available, from 2000, shows those living within a half-mile of a Bay Area ferry or train station were four times more likely than others to take transit. Only 4 percent of those…
Fostering public health
January 13, 2010
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[This is the fourth in a series of blog posts by David Dixon FAIA, principal-in-charge Planning and Urban Design at Goody Clancy. Dixon's posts are part of a series of expert blogs on TOD highlighting work and research that experts are doing in the field.]
