A Transit-Oriented Future For North Las Vegas?

Anticipating major transportation improvements to serve explosive population growth, the City of North Las Vegas is considering adoption of a transit-supportive land use plan featuring a Regional Fixed Guideway (RFG) system.

1 minute read

March 24, 2006, 10:00 AM PST

By David Gest


Away from the tourist-dominated areas of the world-famous Las Vegas Strip, development in the Las Vegas valley has long been dominated by car-oriented transportation. Few other options are currently available, but things are about to change in a dramatic way.

The Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC) is exploring options for the development of a Regional Fixed Guideway (RFG) system to server major portions of the Las Vegas valley. As a stakeholder in the RFG project, the City of North Las Vegas is considering the adoption of an innovative transit-supportive land use plan to guide development within its portion of the transit corridor. The goal is the creation of pedestrian-friendly transit villages that will be far more than bus or commuter rail stops.

"Where that concept is concerned," said North Las Vegas urban designer Ned Thomas, "the primary question is: How can we adopt advanced zoning for mixed-use that will create vibrant neighborhood centers within an emerging sea of typical suburban sprawl?"

With rapid population growth in the City (13% in 2005) and relatively large expanses of available land, there is lots of room for innovation and intense development that will reflect the concept of transit-oriented development (TOD). Changing demographics and rapidly escalating land costs are other trends in the Las Vegas area that support this approach.

Thanks to Ned Thomas

Tuesday, March 21, 2006 in Northern/Aliante View

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 30, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Close-up on Canadian flag with Canada Parliament building blurred in background.

Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?

As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?

April 28, 2025 - Benjamin Schneider

Hot air balloons rise over Downtown Boise with the State Capitol building visible amidst the high rises.

The Five Most-Changed American Cities

A ranking of population change, home values, and jobs highlights the nation’s most dynamic and most stagnant regions.

April 23, 2025 - GoodMigrations

People biking along beach path with moored ship in San Diego, California.

San Diego Adopts First Mobility Master Plan

The plan provides a comprehensive framework for making San Diego’s transportation network more multimodal, accessible, and sustainable.

May 2 - SD News

Sleeping in Public

Housing, Supportive Service Providers Brace for Federal Cuts

Organizations that provide housing assistance are tightening their purse strings and making plans for maintaining operations if federal funding dries up.

May 2 - KSL

Conductor walks down platform next to Amtrak train at station in San Jose, California.

Op-Ed: Why an Effective Passenger Rail Network Needs Government Involvement

An outdated rail network that privileges freight won’t be fixed by privatizing Amtrak.

May 2 - Streetsblog USA

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.

Senior Manager Operations, Urban Planning

New York City School Construction Authority

Building Inspector

Village of Glen Ellyn

Manager of Model Development

Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO