Transit Oriented Development Fails to Yield Results
Transit oriented development is a big buzz word and provides lots of promise for politically connected developers who want to build housing near rail and bus stations. However, an LA Times report shows that it's had little impact on traffic and transit usage.I can relate. I live in one of the showcase transit oriented development villages in LA, the NoHo Arts District and until yesterday did not use the Red Line in the seven months I've lived here. I could use the Metro Orange Line to commute to my office in Sherman Oaks but have never done it. However I can say that the retail development clumped around finds me making more walking trips for tasks that required a drive when I lived in a suburban section of Sherman Oaks, so perhaps that is the key, growing more retail and business along the transit stops and not just housing.
In the meantime, its going to get more expensive to use that transit if you do get around to it - the Metro Day pass is going from $3 to $5, a 66% price increase. And the City of LA is getting around to taking a look at updating it's Commuter Express bus service for the first time in 22 years.
Labels: metro orange line, metro red line, transit oriented development, transportation
Posted by Mayor Sam @ 7/02/2007 12:59:00 AM
4 Comments:
It's already been pointed out to you earlier today -- in Zuma's blog, cuz you didn't have a comments section -- that people aren't using subways more cuz our current system isn't extensive enough to get people to work and play and wherever -- which means we should have MORE extensive system, not less. The LAT "reporters" could have saved themselves months of hanging around, counting cars and interviewing people -- no wonder the LAT is laying people off, the ones they have left have no common sense and waste money -- by simply comparing our current network to others that succeed. As people note in this article, duh, it's not enough to live near a metro station if you can't get anywhere once you're on it, beyond Studio City/Universal, and downtown via Hollywood. But the assumption that people from SC work downtown is outdated. MAYBE there will be more jobs there; and probably some tourists use the line. I noted mostly baffled visitors, wondering why it was so beautiful and unused, and mucho Hispanics who don't have cars. We need an EXTENSIVE SYSTEM, bring back electric cars/ rails.
Walter Moore just removed some 25 comments from his blog and closed down the comments. Again. Funny how you guys can all dish dirt on your betters, and be about as nasty as can be, but can't take it at all, don't even pretend not to censor and delete everything. And you won't admit who pays for/ supports/ buys you people. Sad, sad, sad.
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Transit oriented development ideally would lead to "transit villages" that have a balance of housing, office space, retail that serves residents and workers, and retail that serves visitors, plus open space.
You're absolutely correct that the point isn't just to load them up with housing and hope there are enough people with workplaces along the transit lines to attract buyers and tenants for the units. This is about creating functional communities. That's why a little thoughtful planning comes in handy, instead of just leaving it to "the magic of the marketplace."
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