A transit-oriented lifestyle: Convenient and environmentally friendly

Once upon a time, not so long ago, owning a car was a rite of passage. Every teen longed for the freedom of having their own set of wheels. For less than five bucks per fill, these gas guzzlers were the ultimate in cool. Buses? Well, they were reserved for nerds and the elderly.

That was the norm until climate change became impossible to ignore. Greta Thunberg and the Paris Accord were suddenly part of the everyday vernacular, and an entire generation can no longer imagine a home without recycling bins and blue boxes.

Today, transit is the new cool, two wheels are the preferred commuting vehicle for legions of people of all generations, and EVs are taking over roads and parkades everywhere.

The New Urban Lifestyle

For savvy developers, this paradigm shift is radically changing the way they design neighbourhoods. Transit-oriented developments (TODs) are, according to many, the way of the future, a welcome return to a more socially engaged, active, and sustainable lifestyle.

“As our lives get busier, transit-oriented communities offer a new level of convenience, accessibility, and urban living,” says Brenda Parris, director of residential marketing with SHAPE Properties. “By developing communities that include shops, restaurants, entertainment and social spaces, with homes that are seamlessly connected to rapid transit, you have easy access to the entire region without the burden of traffic. You get to experience the best of the city within steps of your front door.”

TODs, Parris says, are increasingly attractive to new buyers who value social experiences, environmental sustainability, personal well-being, and the luxury of convenience. Homeowners who invest in these communities also typically enjoy an exponential return on their investment and their lifestyle for generations to come.

Auto Liberation

Bob Ransford, Century Group’s vice-president of development, could well be considered a poster boy for the TOD lifestyle. “I haven’t owned a car for six years,” he says. “Being auto-liberated gives you a sense of freedom you often don’t think about until you experience it.”

Ransford uses his three-hour daily commute productively attending to emails, paperwork, research or reading, and feeling grateful he’s not one of the folks stuck in the traffic jams he cruises past.

“Designing TODs is always about the benefits of having services and amenities close enough so you don’t actually need a car. For example, at Century City Holland Park in Surrey, we advertised the number of minutes it took to walk to things like pubs, shops, and transit.” He adds that all were less than 10 minutes, and most were under five.

Another significant benefit he says many people don’t think about is enhanced buying power. “When you don’t have auto expenses like insurance, gas, repairs, and, in most cases, a loan payment, that’s extra money you have available. So you could purchase a larger or more premium home, or you might decide to bank those funds toward goals like travel, education, or starting a business.”

Transit-oriented developments — living in one helps you to stay cool and enjoy the journey. Keep your eyes on the many beautiful, sustainable, and connected TODs coming your way.

The Six D’s of TODs

Here are the six key components, known as the Six D’s, that define a TOD.

1. Destinations:
Well-coordinated land use and transportation options that allow fast, reliable, and cost-effective travel between destinations.

2. Distance:
Well-integrated street networks that encourage walking or cycling and provide easy connection to transit routes.

3. Design:
Lively, animated streetscapes that create spaces for people to gather, socialize and enjoy a safe, inviting public realm. Parking, if it’s provided, is tucked away from the sidewalk and plaza interfaces.

4. Density:
Concentrate growth and density within 800 metres of transit, allowing more frequent service.

5. Diversity:
Incorporate different housing types, retail, and services to create vibrant, resilient neighbourhoods for every generation.

6. Demand management:
Create incentives that encourage people to find alternatives to private vehicle use, such as segregated bike lanes, shady pedestrian walkways, outdoor patios and plazas.