This guide has links to resources on the best practices in transit oriented development (TOD). Organized by category, according to the list below, resources range from one-page fact sheets to lengthy reports.

See also our Bay Area and National Resources page for links to groups that work on TOD and related issues.

We are actively looking for additional comprehensive summaries of important issues. Please contact us with suggestions!  The links below are grouped into the following categories:

Principles of Transit-Oriented Development TOD Checklists Community Involvement Homes/Housing Economic Development Public Services and Amenities Public Spaces and Place-Making

Planning Street Design Transportation Environment Health and TOD Incentives and Funding for TOD

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Principles of Transit-Oriented Development

• Ahwahnee Principles for Resource-Efficient Communities, 2 pages. Local Government Commission. The Ahwahnee Principles contain 15 community principles, 4 regional principles, and 4 principles of implementation to assist in the planning of more livable communities.
• General Principles of Transit-Oriented Development, 6 pages. California Department of Transportation. Caltrans' description of the general principles of TOD, plus benefits and barriers.
• AIA 10 Principles of Livable Communities, 2 pages. The American Institute of Architects. 10 principles to help create livable communities.
• PolicyLink's Equitable Development Toolkit - Transit Oriented Development, 30 pages. Policy Link. This tool focuses on how to implement TOD in a way that achieves equity goals. new May 2008!
  

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TOD Checklists

• Making Transit Development Work, 2 pages. Nelson Nygaard Consulting Associates. This 12 point checklist clearly delineates transit-oriented development from transit-adjacent development; emphasizing the role of parking and automobiles.
• Transit-Oriented Development Evaluation Checklist, 4 pages. California Department of Transportation. This checklist provides a brief evaluation of land use, site design, street patterns, and parking in transit-oriented development.

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Community Involvement

• Meaningful to Citizens - Functional for Planning: Using Public Participation Tools to Accomplish Planning Tasks, 5 pages. Douglas Miskowiak. Discusses tools that can be used throughout the planning process to engage citizens in project education and input.
• What is a Charrette? 4 pages. National Charrette Institute. Explains the history of the Charrette process, as well as how a Charrette may be used in planning and development.
• The Charrette as an Agent for Change, 7 pages. Bill Lennertz, National Charrette Institute. This articles explains the nine principles of the Charrette process in depth, as well as the three phases of dynamic planning used in a Charrette.
• Using Visioning in A Comprehensive Planning Process, 6 pages. Anna Haines, University of Wisconsin. This fact sheet explains what visioning processes are, how they work, why they are important, and how to avoid potential drawbacks.
• Participation Tools for Better Community and Land Use Planning, series of 5 webpages. Local Government Commission. This series of web pages explains several types of tools, such as computer simulation, visual surveys, and participatory land use mapping, and provides references to qualified organizations that can help design and use these tools.

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Using GIS in transportation and TOD planning

• GIS Fact Sheet, 1 page. Nelson Nygaard. This fact sheet briefly explains why GIS is a useful tool in making transportation and planning decisions and includes five examples from the San Francisco Bay Area.
• Beyond Maps: GIS Support of Transit-Oriented Development Planning, 27 pages. Metropolitan Transportation Commission. This report explains the importance of using GIS in planning for TOD in the San Francisco Bay Area (includes numerous GIS graphics).

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Homes/Housing

Housing Affordability

• Myths and Stereotypes About Affordable Housing, 4 pages. Business and Professional People for the Public Interest. This fact sheet addresses some of the concerns often raised when affordable housing is planned for pre-existing/established communities.
• Inclusionary Housing in California: 30 Years of Innovation, 4 pages. Non Profit Housing Association of Northern California. Briefly explains policies that have encouraged inclusionary housing in California over the past 30 years.
• Transportation Cost and the American Dream: Why a Lack of Transportation Choices Strains the Family Budget and Hinders Home Ownership, 5 pages. Surface Transportation Policy Project. This paper explains how the financial burden of private auto ownership compromises housing opportunities and rates of home ownership.
• Myths and Facts About Affordable and High-Density Housing, 12 pages. California Department of Housing and Community Development. Eight myths countered by facts and figures explaining why affordable housing is important for all communities. Includes three case studies.
• Best Practices in the Production of Affordable Housing, 22 pages. Urban Land Institute. Best practices are discussed for pre-development, financing, sustainability, and growth in the production of affordable housing.

Location Efficient Mortgages (LEM)

• Location Efficient Mortgages FAQ, 6 pages. Fannie Mae. This FAQ explains what LEMs are, how they work, and who to contact in your area to see if you qualify.

Demand for Housing in Transit-Oriented Developments

• Hidden in Plain Sight: Capturing The Demand for Housing Near Transit, 40 pages. Reconnecting America’s Center For Transit-Oriented Development. This study examines the demand for housing in transit-oriented developments across the United States. It includes detailed description of the demographics of the demand, where demand is highest (the San Francisco Bay Area is #4, behind New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago), and implications for TOD design.

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Economic Development

• Transportation and Jobs, 2 pages. Surface Transportation Policy Project. This fact sheet describes how transportation options increase job access and contribute to the job market.
• Transportation and Economic Prosperity, 2 pages. Surface Transportation Policy Project. This discussion of how transportation effects business prosperity and the economy addresses employees' daily commuting needs and the delivery of goods and services.
• The Economic Benefits of Walkable Communities, 4 pages. Local Government Commission. Why increasing the walkability of communities improves health, saves money, and boost the local economy.
• The Benefits of Public Transportation: Essential Support for a Strong Economy, 6 pages. American Public Transportation Association. How public transportation and good planning improve local economies through increased business, real estates values, and greater tax revenues.
• The Economic Value of Active Transportation, 6 pages. Ryan Snyder Associates, LLC. Providing safe options for walking and biking provide economic benefits. Equally, not providing safe options decreases tax revenue.
• Workforce Development and Smart Growth: Opportunities for Linking Movements, 16 pages. Funders' Network for Smart Growth and Livable Communities. This paper explains the connections between sprawl, unemployment, and poverty; and why those who care about workers and organized labor also need to participate in urban planning and policy.

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Public Services and Amenities

Child Care in TOD

• Facts About Child Care and Transportation, 2 pages. Alameda County. This fact sheet outlines some of the transportation problems and repercussions families face when trying to obtain childcare. Several suggestions for locating childcare near transit and employment centers are provided.
• Tools for Linking Child Care Development and Housing Development, 6 pages. The National Economic Development & Law Center. Why building homes and child care together saves money. Presents examples are for new projects as well as for established communities.

Health Care

• Roadblocks to Health: Transportation Barriers to Healthy Communities, 3 pages. Transportation and Land Use Coalition. This is an Executive Summary of a longer (88-page) report that analyzes transportation access to health care and healthy activities by residents of low-income people-of-color neighborhoods in three Bay Area counties and presents recommendations for describes how public policy changes can improve quality of life while decreasing health care cost in the long run.

Universal Design

• Principles of Universal Design, 6 pages. The Center for Universal Design, North Carolina State University. Describes the seven principles of universal design and how they improve access and usability for all people.

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Public Spaces and Place-Making

• Designing Quality Public Spaces, 8 pages. Peter Skosey and Heather Campbell, Campaign for Sensible Growth. This report explains how well designedpublic space increases quality of life and sense of community.

Safety

• Land Use Planning for Safe, Crime Free Neighborhoods, 4 pages. Local Government Commission. Visual examples of how to make public and shared spaces safer by encouraging interaction and community.

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Planning

Dealing with Density

• Compact Development for More Livable Communities, 4 pages. Local Government Commission. This pamphlet discusses the many benefits of density, while dispelling some of the myths that are associated with compact developments.

Codes, Zoning, and TOD

• Smart Communities: Zoning for Transit-Oriented Development, 8 pages. Marya Morris, Campaign for Sensible Growth. Important basics for zoning in TODs.
• Overcoming Obstacles to Smart Growth through Code Reform, 8 pages. Local Governments Commission. Explains seven strategies to code reform, cites cities using such strategies, and includes illustrative photo images for each strategy.
• Form-Based Codes: Implementing Smart Growth, 8 pages. Local Government Commission. What form-based codes are, and how they are used, complete with visuals,diagrams, and examples.

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Street Design

• Complete Streets pamphlet, 2 pages. Complete Streets. This fact sheet explains what it means to make complete streets and why complete streets are important; includes before and after photos.
• Transportation Tech Sheet: Traffic Calming, 2 pages. Congress of New Urbanism. Concisely explains traffic calming, with photos and examples of common traffic calming devices.
• Designing Safe Streets and Neighborhoods, 4 pages. Local Government Commission. Designing neighborhood streets for cars makes them inhospitable and dangerous for people. This pamphlet suggest simple changes in street design and funding to decrease both pedestrian and auto hazards.
• Traffic Calming: Creating Livable Communities, 8 pages. Mary DeBacker and Rachel Harshman, Campaign for Sensible Growth. Explains the history of traffic calming and traffic-calming terminology, and presents visual examples and case studies.

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Transportation

• The Benefits of Public Transportation: Critical Relief for Traffic Congestion, 6 pages. American Public Transportation Association. This pamphlet explains the role of transportation funding in reducing congestion, air pollution, and commute times.
• 10 Ways to Enhance Your Community: Unleash The Power of Public Transportation, 16 pages. Public Transportation Partnership for Tomorrow. How to use public transportation as a community anchor for increasing business, sense of community, and tax revenue.

Parking

• Removing Barriers to Building Livable Communities: Rethinking Parking, 1 page. Livable Places. Lays out problems with standard parking design plans, followed by five simple ways to deal with parking issues.
• Rethinking Residential Parking, 2 pages (legal-size paper: 8.5 x 14 in.). Non-Profit Housing Association of Northern California (NPH). This 2 page pamphlet explains how much parking really costs, how much parking is really needed, and offers alternatives to current parking requirements.
• Finding a Place for Parking, 8 pages. Project for Public Spaces. 10 questions to ask to determine how much parking is needed and where it should be located.
• Rethinking Residential Parking: Myths and Facts, 10 pages. Non-Profit Housing Association of Northern California (NPH). Eight myths and facts about the need for parking in residential developments.

Transportation Demand Management (TDM)

• Transportation Demand Management Planning Principles, 3 pages. Nelson Nygaard. Presents 20 principles to guide transportation planning and design.

Car Sharing

• Car Sharing: Where and How it Succeeds, 8 pages. Nelson Nygaard. This Executive Summary explains what car sharing is, how it works, where it succeeds, and its environmental and economic impacts.

Accessibility

• Aging Americans: Stranded Without Options, 20 pages. Surface Transportation Policy Project. This report illustrates the need for public transit services amongst the elderly, and provides statistics, charts, and many visual aids.

Bicycle Parking

• Bicycle Parking Guidelines, 8 pages. Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals. Examples of good and bad bicycle parking infrastructure; focusing on types of bicycle racks and bicycle parking locations.

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Environment

• Energy and Smart Growth: It’s About How and Where We Build, 20 pages. Funders’ Network for Smart Growth and Livable Communities. This paper connects the dots between energy consumption and building livable communities.
• Zoning for Environmental Sustainability, 8 pages. Milda Grigaite and Ellen Shubart, Campaign for Sensible Growth. This report explains how zoning impacts open space, water sheds, and native species, in addition to immediate neighborhoods.

Green Buildings

• LEED Fact Sheet, 1 page. United States Building Council. A brief description of what LEED building standards are and how the certification process works.
• Pollution Prevention by Building Green, 4 pages. The EPA Office of Compliance Assistance and Pollution Prevention. Discusses basic advantages and strategies of green building, with helpful links at the end.

Open Space

• Parks and Open Space: Making In-Town Living Attracive, 2 pages. Grow Smart Maine. Open space in cities is an important factor in preventing sprawl and improving the quality of urban life. Provides examples of different types of open space.

Urban Agriculture and Community Gardens

• Community Gardens FAQs, 2 pages. Food Security Learning Center. This site discusses the role community gardens play in community building, health, and food security.
• Farming from the City Center to the Urban Fringe: Urban Planning and Food Security, 4 pages. Community Food Security Coalition. Explains the importance, feasibility and advantages of urban food production.

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Health and TOD

• Health Impact Assessment: A New Tool to Support Healthy Cities and Neighborhoods, 7 pages. City and County of San Francisco Department of Public Health. An informational FAQ on Health Impact Assessments and how they are being used.
• The Benefits of Public Transportation: Conserving Energy and Preserving the Air We Breathe, 4 pages. American Public Transportation Association. Comparative charts and statistics between public transit, private auto, and sport utility vehicle fuel efficiency and subsequent pollution issues.
• The Benefits of Public Transportation: The Route to Better Personal Health, 4 pages. American Public Transportation Association. How transportation options and choices effect personal health.
• Integrating Public Health Objectives in Transportation Decision-Making, 10 pages. Victoria Transportation Policy Institute. Public health consequences of transportation and land use planning have long been ignored. This report provides statistics as well as examples of mobility management strategies.
• Healthy Community Design: Success Stories, 36 pages. Active Living Leadership. Various communities are highlighted as pro-actively dealing with public health issues and transportation problems simultaneously.
• Promoting Public Health Through Smart Growth, 52 pages. Smart Growth BC. This report explains the human health repercussions of our transportation and planning choices.

Health Impact Assessments

• What is Health Impact Assessment? 1 page. International Health Impact Assessment Consortium. This informational page explains what Health Impact Assessments are and when they are used.
• Towards Equity in Land Use Development Using Health Impact Assessment, 3 pages. Rajiv Bhatia, MD, MPH, San Francisco Department of Public Health. The purpose of HIA is explained, along with why it is important for health practitioners to be involved in policy and planning.

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Incentives and Funding for TOD

• Tax Increment Financing Fact Sheet, 2 pages. City of Rockfore, Illinois. Basic information on what TIFs are and how they work.
• Variations in Today's Tax Increment Financing, 6 pages. PricewaterhouseCoppers LLC. A thorough explanation of TIF options, in what situations they work best and potential disadvantages.
• Smart Growth Incentives for Neighborhoods, 6 pages. ABAG, BAAQMD and MTC.
• Smart Growth Incentives for Developers and Investors, 10 pages. ABAG, BAAQMD and MTC.
• Smart Growth Incentives for Local Governments, 11 pages. ABAG, BAAQMD and MTC. This series of memos discusses smart growth incentives for various participants in the development process.