Transit-Oriented Development

What is Transit-Oriented Development?

Following lessons learned by other cities across the country, NeighborhoodsNow is developing a transit-oriented development program that seeks to revitalize low-wealth neighborhoods by improving and making the most of existing transit assets and attracting new private market investments near them. The main premise of TOD is that by making improvements to areas around stations and removing barriers to redevelopment, CDCs or other developers can simultaneously encourage the growth or stabilization of transit ridership, while attracting new investments that strengthen the neighborhood real estate market and the choices it offers to current and future residents.

Current Projects

NeighborhoodsNow recently released a report "Transit-Oriented Development in Philadelphia: Using a Proven Strategy to Create More Vibrant, Livable Neighborhoods."

Download the Executive Summary of "Transit-Oriented Development in Philadelphia: Using a Proven Strategy to Create More Vibrant, Livable Neighborhoods." [1.2MB PDF]

NeighborhoodsNow commissioned one of the nation’s more respected economists specializing in TOD— Econsult Corporation to conduct research that shows the current TOD landscape in Philadelphia and to outline opportunities to create more TOD and make the most of its outstanding transit infrastructure. Enconsult's report shows how TOD can be a powerfully effective way to capitalize on Philadelphia’s assets and to do it in a way that has the most impact on neighborhoods.

Working closely with community development corporations, the TOD initiative seeks to support development of mixed-use and mixed-income housing adjacent to existing transit assets by attracting new public and private market investment. The four participating CDCs are:

NeighborhoodsNow has also secured funding from the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission to work in partnership with the city of Philadelphia to develop a model TOD zoning classification in Philadelphia.

NeighborhoodsNow is managing the Transit Revitalization Investment District (TRID) planning process for the 46th and Market and Temple Regional Rail Stations. The planning will afford the city, SEPTA, neighborhood organizations and other stakeholders the opportunity to define strategies and standards that ensure future neighborhood redesign will be transit-oriented, and will provide for the planning of future transit services to encourage and support redevelopment.

Results and Lessons Learned

NeighborhoodsNow is just now joining the national Transit-Oriented Development trend and is working with new partners to bring this exciting opportunity to Philadelphia. Learn more about Transit-Oriented Development activities throughout the country by visiting www.reconnectingamerica.org