Transit Oriented Development

Cities such as New York, Chicago, San Francisco, London and Paris have been developing around mass transit for centuries. With the advent and subsequent popularity of the automobile, cities began to get away from development around mass transit. Only in recent years has Transit Oriented Development (TOD) once again become recognized by city planners as an important development practice. Due to a decreased reliability on individual vehicle ownership, TODs help lessen air pollution and traffic congestion on local streets, while also adding bike lanes, open space and parks, and pedestrian pathways for residents and nearby neighbors. Additionally, TOD sites focus on creating a high quality of life for residents and nearby neighbors and help promote more pedestrian friendly communities. TODs typically include:

Neighborhood services and retail/restaurant establishments within walking distance to a transit station;
Easy-to-access and pedestrian safe pathways to transit hubs and in between buildings; and
Outward-oriented, street-facing buildings, rather than inward-oriented parking lot adjacent structures.

The City of San Jose cites the use of TODs in its General Plan and Midtown Specific Plan as a preferred type of development for various areas of the city, including the VTA site. This site is the ideal location for a TOD because it is within walking distance to planned light rail stations.

Together with the VTA and the City of San Jose, Green Republic will be working to provide better access to local and regional public transportation to help make San Jose a more sustainable community. Upon completion, Green Republic’s TOD project will include residential units and retail space. We are committed to working with the City and community to ensure that the principles of TOD are reached.

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