The eTOD program centers equity as a consideration for new projects.
The city of Chicago has awarded eleven grants to projects that promote development around transit stations, reports Natalie Moore. "Funding totals $160,000 in microgrants and technical assistance with each project receiving up to $20,000," with an additional $10 million proposed in the 2022 budget.
The city hopes to promote Transit-Oriented Development as well as "racial equity and climate change resilience." According to a city analysis, "[a]reas near rail stations eligible for TOD benefits — but that have not seen any TOD activity — have 40% more residents of color and 23% more low-income residents." The policies that have led to unequal development have contributed to "entrenched racial and economic segregation." Last year, "the city pledged to drive investment to projects beyond market-rate housing." Mayor Lori Lightfoot's chief policy officer, Dan Lurie, said that the equity focus "is expressly about confronting those systems, how they work in community, and building coalitions on the ground with communities, with people who are living in these neighborhoods."
Among the awarded projects: "A bustling corridor at 79th Street and the Dan Ryan Expressway with housing and retail. A healthy corner store walking distance from the 95th Street Red Line. A food hall and walk-up ice cream window in East Garfield Park."
Read the full story: Chicago awards grants to spur development near transit in disinvested neighborhoods
San Diego wants to limit upzoning law to just 16% of transit-adjacent parcels
The city's planning director says some areas are unfit for immediate upzoning due to a lack of resources or hazards such as wildfire risk.
Chicago eliminates parking requirements near transit
In 2025, Illinois barred cities from mandating parking near train and bus stations.
LA Delays State TOD Law to 2030 With its Own, Lower-density Plan
SB 79 allows cities to delay its implementation if they come up with alternate plans to boost density while retaining local control near transit.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
The state-sanctioned urbicide of Austin
People don’t kill cities. Freeways do.
Colorado’s Largest Data Center Could Rise Next to Homes — Without a Public Hearing
The proposed campus would consume 11 times the power of Denver International Airport; as it has across the country, opposition mounts.
Judges permit Denver to divert 77,000 acre feet from the Colorado River for reservoir expansion
Overuse and climate change have caused the Colorado River’s water levels to plummet.
Amtrak, CN end decades-long dispute with eight-year agreement
The new operating agreement establishes an updated framework for the companies to work together, including processes to resolve disputes.
Raised interest rates may kill financially vulnerable construction projects
The chief economist at ConstructConnect warns that if construction project owners are negatively impacted by the raised rates, it could result in delayed payments to contractors.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
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