Though Connecticut is well served by commuter rail, a new report indicates that only half of the communities with Metro-North station have land use regulations in place to maximize development around them.
"Despite the seemingly obvious advantages of TOD, only about half the Connecticut communities along the Metro-North New Haven Division rail line have adopted plans to foster development around their railroad stations," says a recent study released by the Regional Plan Association.
"Only 50 percent of station areas allow the kind of construction densities appropriate to transit-served neighborhoods, those with a mix of homes, stores and services within walking distance of transit. Finally, only 19 percent of stations have parking regulations that 'acknowledge the ability of TOD to reduce the need for parking ... through improved transit and walkability,' the study says."
"A train station surrounded by a vast sea of asphalt is not what we are looking for here," adds the editors of The Hartford Courant. "Connecticut has a choice. The state can keep building low-density suburban sprawl, until we (shortly) run out of open land, or we can build denser urban communities around transit — to create vibrancy, save energy, reduce pollution, improve the housing mix and take pressure off the dwindling green space. It is a moment for TOD."
FULL STORY: Towns Should Build On Their Transit Stops
San Diego High-Speed Rail Plan Counts on Future Density
Despite slowing population growth statewide, officials believe the region will "grow into" the new rail system if cities promote dense development around transit stations.
New York MTA Looks to Suburban TODs as Funding Source
The agency is selling land outside of the city on a commuter rail line in a move that could become more common as a revenue-generating strategy.
Op-Ed: Toll Revenues Could Fix Aging New York-Connecticut Rail Connection
Rather than bonds, an op-ed makes the case for electronic tolls to pay for improvements to commuter rail lines between New York City and Connecticut.
Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?
Car Designs Make it Harder to See Pedestrians
Blind spots created by thicker pillars built to withstand rollover crashes are creating dangerous conditions for people outside vehicles.
Cal Fire Chatbot Fails to Answer Basic Questions
An AI chatbot designed to provide information about wildfires can’t answer questions about evacuation orders, among other problems.
What Happens if Trump Kills Section 8?
The Trump admin aims to slash federal rental aid by nearly half and shift distribution to states. Experts warn this could spike homelessness and destabilize communities nationwide.
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.
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie