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Union Budget 2024-25: Transit Oriented Development (TOD) for 14 large cities

Syllabus: Geography/ Goverance

Source: LM

 

Context: The Union Budget 2024-25 highlighted Transit Oriented Development (TOD) for 14 large cities with populations over 30 lakhs.

 

What is Transit Oriented Development (TOD)?

Transit Oriented Development (TOD) is an urban planning approach that focuses on creating compact, walkable communities centered around high-quality public transport systems. It aims to maximize accessibility to public transportation, reduce reliance on private vehicles, and promote sustainable urban growth.

 

Key Features:

  1. Mixed-Use Development: Incorporates residential, commercial, and recreational spaces within walking distance of transit stations.
  2. High Density: Encourages higher population densities near transit hubs.
  3. Walkability: Prioritizes pedestrian-friendly infrastructure.
  4. Public Transport Integration: Ensures efficient, reliable public transport systems are central to community design.
Union Budget 2024-25
Union Budget 2024-25

Examples from India:

  1. Delhi Metro: Areas around metro stations like Connaught Place have seen significant development, with mixed-use buildings and pedestrian-friendly designs.
  2. Mumbai Metropolitan Region: The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has proposed TOD policies to enhance development around metro and monorail stations, improving access and reducing traffic congestion.
  3. The redevelopment of New Delhi Railway Station (NDLS) was become the first project to be undertaken on the Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) concept in the NCR.

 

Examples from the World:

  1. Hong Kong: The city’s MTR Corporation integrates property development with its transit network, creating highly accessible, mixed-use developments around stations.
  2. Portland, USA: The Pearl District transformed from an industrial area into a vibrant neighborhood centered around the Portland Streetcar, featuring high-density housing, retail, and parks.
  3. Copenhagen, Denmark: The Finger Plan incorporates TOD principles, ensuring suburban development follows rail lines, promoting compact growth and efficient public transport use.

 

Pillars of TOD & Policy:  

Pillars Description
Enable Transformation (From Private to Public Transportation) Assist cities in shifting from private vehicle dependency to public transport-oriented development.
Accessible Public Transport (Promote Green Mobility) Promote the usage of public transport by making it accessible, encouraging walking and cycling, and curbing pollution and negative impacts of motorization.
Compact Walkable Communities Create livable and affordable communities that are compact and walkable.

Benefits:

  1. Economic: Increased property values, reduced transit times, and higher labor productivity.
  2. Environmental: Lower carbon emissions, reduced air pollution, and protection of green spaces.
  3. Social: Improved public health through increased physical activity, reduced urban sprawl, and enhanced quality of life.
  4. Reduces vehicular traffic and congestion – This reduces private vehicular usage and congestion on roads.
  5. Efficient use of land resources: Optimizes land-use efficiency compared to distributed standalone terminals. This allows for sustainable urban planning and growth.
  6. Leveraging complementary advantages: Congestion pricing, parking policies along with promotion of non-motorized transit via walking and cycling can be dovetailed into the system.
  7. Inclusivity: Develop inclusive habitats in transit areas so public transport users can live in walkable, livable communities. Allocate a portion of housing for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) and affordable housing in the influence zone.
  8. Safety for Vulnerable Sections: Ensure a safe society by focusing on the safety of women, children, senior citizens, and differently abled individuals through necessary amendments to building bylaws.

 

Challenges to Transit Oriented Development (TOD) in India:

  1. Land Acquisition Issues: Difficulty in acquiring land for development due to legal and ownership disputes.
  2. Coordination Among Agencies: Lack of coordination between various urban development and transportation agencies.
  3. Funding Constraints: Insufficient financial resources for large-scale TOD projects.
  4. Regulatory Hurdles: Complex regulatory and approval processes delaying implementation.
  5. Public Resistance: Resistance from local communities due to displacement fears and lifestyle changes.
  6. Infrastructure Gaps: Inadequate existing infrastructure to support high-density development.
  7. Environmental Concerns: Potential negative environmental impacts and challenges in maintaining green spaces.
  8. Technical Expertise: Lack of technical expertise and skilled professionals in urban planning and TOD.
  9. Policy Inconsistencies: Inconsistent policies and lack of a unified approach across different regions and cities.
  10. Cultural Barriers: Cultural preferences for private vehicles over public transportation.

 

Steps Taken for TOD in India:

  1. National Transit Oriented Development Policy, 2017: Guiding Principles: Includes Last Mile Connectivity, Mixed Landuse, Interconnected Street Network, etc.
    • Supportive Tools: Emphasizes Universal Accessibility, Public-Private Partnerships (PPP), etc.
  2. Smart Cities Mission: Incorporates TOD as a key component to promote sustainable urban development.
  3. Multi-modal Integration: Efforts to integrate various transport modes (metro, bus, cycling, etc.) for seamless connectivity in TOD zones.
  4. Local TOD Policies: Development of specific guidelines like the TOD Manual for Delhi to guide local implementation.