What is Transit-Oriented Development (TOD)?
Broadly speaking, transit-oriented development means that living, working, and recreation are all centered around public transportation.
Connecticut defines transit-oriented development as, “ the development of residential, commercial and employment centers within one-half mile or walking distance of public transportation facilities, including rail and bus rapid transit and services, that meet transit supportive standards for land uses, built environment densities and walkable environments, in order to facilitate and encourage the use of those services .” CCGS Sec. 13b-79kk
Connecting TOD and Brownfield Redevelopment
The Naugatuck Valley Planning Region is uniquely positioned to link transit-oriented development with brownfields redevelopment. Many brownfield sites lie within walking distance from transit, creating opportunities to turn underused properties into vibrant, accessible places. This storymap highlights where these overlaps occur and how they can support community needs across the Region.
NVCOG's Approach to TOD
NVCOG views TOD as a planning approach that integrates transportation, land use, and the environment to generate new housing, jobs, more inclusive public spaces, as well as more accessible and sustainable communities. It also encourages pedestrian-friendly, mixed-use development projects near transit facilities, resulting in more livable and transit-oriented communities.
As the federally designated Metropolitan Planning Organizations for the Region, NVCOG works collectively with the USDOT, CTDOT, and our member municipalities to ensure that the transportation network works for everyone. To accomplish this, the NVCOG carries out studies and a long-term planning process that is continuous, cooperative, and comprehensive.
Although the goals of TOD may be similar from one area to another, it is very important that TOD respect and complement the long-term vision of a community. The customization of TOD projects is critical to ensure they are appropriate for their community context, accepted by the public, and attractive to public and private investment.
As a Regional Planning Agency and Metropolitan Planning Organization, NVCOG understands how transit-oriented development can support a community in seeing their transit facilities as an asset and defining characteristic.
NVCOG staff focus on synergizing infrastructure investments, development dollars, and a community's desires to connect transit-oriented developments thereby facilitating transit-oriented communities. In this way, focusing on the community aspect of TOD creates more than just individual developments.
As a development pattern, TOD results in less time spent driving or sitting in traffic, thereby reducing emissions; city and town centers are vibrant places; and neighborhoods are more connected. Through this, NVCOG promotes the implementation of:
Related Projects
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TOD in the Naugatuck Valley Planning Region
Many municipalities in the Naugatuck Valley are prime candidates for TOD, while some have already begun implementation. TOD by its very nature creates more livable communities by encouraging the use of trains, buses, sidewalks, and active transportation. It can increase opportunity because in a compact, mixed-use area, people can live close to where they work, or they can use transit stations to access employment or education in nearby locations. This density near transit is a place where commercial and residential development live in harmony.
The transformation of brownfield sites, contaminated properties, most often remnants of large-scale industrial production that once drove the Region’s economy, is vital to the ongoing success of the Region.
Redevelopment of these sites can help protect and improve the health and quality of life of residents by removing blight and environmentally contaminated soils – rather than sitting vacant and undeveloped. View the storymap to learn more.
In addition, expanding tree canopy coverage helps filter air pollution, boost property values, and enhance the quality of life in TOD areas. Greater tree coverage also reduces the high temperatures caused by impervious paved surfaces, or ‘heat islands’.
Green stormwater infrastructure (GSI) and low impact development (LID) are alternative planning, design, and construction best practices that aim to reduce the environmental impacts of the transportation network by mimicking the natural landscape of a site.
The principal goal of GSI and LID is to filter and infiltrate stormwater into the ground rather than let it run off directly into sewers and waterways. By limiting the amount of impervious paved surfaces, water quality can be maintained or improved, and stormwater flows can be reduced.
NVCOG promotes the use of these practices in all development, especially in dense areas like TOD centers.
The Connecticut Municipal Development Authority (CMDA) is a quasi-public organization that promotes housing and economic development, particularly around transit hubs and downtown areas.
Many of the NVCOG municipalities have opted-in to join CMDA. Through this partnership, CMDA works with municipalities to create vibrant mixed-use and TOD projects.
NVCOG will continue to support the ongoing process between its municipalities and CMDA while advancing collaborative planning efforts to ensure smart, sustainable growth across the Region.
Staff Contact
If you are interested in discussing how TOD can be incorporated into your community, please contact Nicole Sullivan, Sustainable Communities Planner, at nsullivan@nvcogct.gov.