What is TOD?

Transit-oriented development, or TOD, is a type of community development that includes a mixture of housing, office, retail and/or other amenities integrated into a walkable neighborhood and located within a half-mile of quality public transportation. At Reconnecting America, we believe it is essential that TOD creates better access to jobs, housing and opportunity for people of all ages and incomes. Successful TOD provides people from all walks of life with convenient, affordable and active lifestyles and create places where our children can play and our parents can grow old comfortably.

Some of the benefits of TOD include:

Reduced household driving and thus lowered regional congestion, air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions
Walkable communities that accommodate more healthy and active lifestyles
Increased transit ridership and fare revenue
Potential for added value created through increased and/or sustained property values where transit investments have occurred
Improved access to jobs and economic opportunity for low-income people and working families
Expanded mobility choices that reduce dependence on the automobile, reduce transportation costs and free up household income for other purposes

Basic TOD Resources