Balancing TOD and Public Health

In a piece for Next City, Michael Austin warns that many types of transit-oriented development — which places housing and services near transportation corridors — can have detrimental public health effects when not planned with public health outcomes in mind.

Austin points out that living in close proximity to freeways and major arterial streets is a well-documented health hazard. “Comprehensive articles and academic studies highlight the harmful impacts of living near major roadways, yet development in these areas continues despite known risks.” Even the imminent electrification of the transportation sector, were it to accelerate, wouldn’t completely eliminate emissions, and wouldn’t solve attendant problems such as noise and other sensory impacts.

According to Austin, “When developing TODs along active corridors, it’s important to prioritize housing that’s set no closer than 500 feet — and ideally, 1,000 feet — from major arterials and freeways, as suggested by UCLA researchers and the California Air Resources Board.” He also suggests concentrating commercial, retail, office, and civic uses closer to transit stations.

Austin offers several recommendations for building TOD that takes into account public health: expanding the TOD boundary to include areas farther from major roads; reinforcing health planning through design guidelines; and avoiding housing in active industrial areas.