The latest trend in urban development is to stitch together more sustainable, efficient, and livable communities. One concept that underlies this movement is Transit-Oriented Areas (TOAs). An attempt has been made to shed light on TOAs, why they are of importance, and how they are being implemented—most specifically in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Through an understanding of TOA principles and benefits, local governments and communities will be able to better prepare for growth that supports access, environmental quality, and economic health.
A Transit-Oriented Area (TOA) is, one within a defined distance area around a majore transit hubs where the land use is mixed, of compact form, and intended to.
These are areas of higher density buildings, mixed-use residential and business, and an emphasis on walkable and bikeable development. The overall purpose and objective of TOAs is to generate lively, sustainable communities that are not heavily dependent on cars.
High-density Development: TOAs are characterized by multi-story residential and commercial buildings, which maximize the efficient use of land.
Mixed-Use Spaces: These spaces integrate residential, commercial, and recreational uses in one area to create diversity, activity, and interest.
Accessible Transportation: Proximity to a transit station ensures the easy availability of public transportation, decreasing person-owned automobile travel.
Pedestrian and Bicycle Infrastructure: TOAs bring walkability and bike-ability through extensive sidewalk and bike lane use, including pedestrian-friendly crossing.
Sustainable Practices: Reduce environmental impact by integrating energy-efficient buildings and decreasing greenhouse gas emissions.
Environmental Benefits
Environmental sustainability is one of the most significant contributions made by TOAs. Reducing the dependence on cars lowers greenhouse gases and decreases air pollution. Amenities within walking or biking reach promote exercise and reduce the necessity for long commutes.
Economic Development:
TOAs can also contribute to economic development by attracting business and creating jobs. With the rise in footfalls and accessibility to transit stations in these areas, it has become a classic location for retail, food, and other commercial establishments. Besides, higher densities can also lead to better utilization of infrastructure and public services more efficiently, thus reducing municipal expenses.
Social Equity
Transit-oriented areas facilitate social equity as people have affordable living arrangements and easy access to what is essentially needed by the people. Attainment of this is possible through the design of communities that attend to the needs of populations of different economic levels, including low-income populations, through provisions of transportation, employment, and amenities for the community.
Quality of Life in TOAs
Normally, due to the ease and accessibility of the environment, the quality of life in these areas is much better. The availability of public spaces, parks, and other recreational facilities encourages socialization and supports neighborhood building. There is also a potential for significant savings by the individual and household unit, as the need for auto ownership is minimal.
Transit-Oriented Areas: The British Columbia Experience
In December 2023, the British Columbia provincial government introduced sweeping amendments to the Local Government Act and Vancouver Charter to introduce TOAs. Recent changes in housing were in response to a new transit-oriented regulation that is part of a larger-targeted government intervention following the housing crisis to provide improvements in transportation and environmental sustainability.
Legislative Framework
Amendments in the legislation, leading to the regulation of Transit-Oriented Areas and Local Government Transit-Oriented Areas, as well as Order-in Council amendments for the designation, are as follows:
The regulations make provision for the implementation and allowance within the zoning and planning bylaws of local governments to be able.
Minimum Density Requirements
One of the most significant provisions of the TOA legislation is the implementation of a Minimum Density Framework. The Minimum Density Framework mandates minimum densities and building heights that must be allowed by local governments for TOAs. The minimum density requirements are station-specific (e.g., SkyTrain versus a bus exchange) and distance-based.
Parking Requirements
To maximize transit use and minimize development costs, these provisions limit the power of local jurisdictions to specify off-street residential parking in TOAs other than minimums related to people with disabilities. This will encourage the design in projects in a transit-oriented configuration and more cost-effectively diminish the amount of parking altogether, making the housing cheaper and the projects more economically feasible.
Step-by-Step Guidance for Local Governments
The Provincial Policy Manual sets out a step-by-step process that local governments should follow to designate new TOAs and to be in conformance with the new regulation. Key steps are:
TOAs are identified By Bylaw: Adopt a bylaw by June 30, 2024, to identify each TOA, including a map of the TOA boundaries. Local governments are encouraged to establish TOA Plans that provide directions for future development.
Density Requirements
Zoning decisions must be consistent with the Minimum Density Framework.
Proposals and Decision-Making
Local governments must notify the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure on the final adoption of a bylaw designating TOAs. For example, failure to adhere to the requirements to designate may result in regulation of the designation by the Province for the TOAs in the municipality.
Future Considerations and Updates
The TOA legislation and regulations are proactively developed to be adaptive to future changes in transit technologies and infrastructure. The regulations are going to be kept updated to consider the additions that will come with the introduction of the new transit services and the expansion of the existing transit services. This can be because the TOA renewal will ensure its relevance and purpose in promoting sustainable urban development.
TOAs are a progressive planning practice in urban development, with the driving force of sustainability, accessibility, and economic vitality. By encouraging high-density, mixed-use development around transit stations, TOAs save automobile trips, protect environmental qualities, and improve the quality of urban living. The legislative framework established in British Columbia is a model for how local governments across the country can embrace the new authorities under national TOD frameworks. As urbanized places grow, transit-oriented development principles take on an ever-increasing importance. Communities that understand the principles and how to use them to build their future do so not merely as an efficient and vibrant community but as inclusive and resilient.
What Is a Transit-Oriented Area?
A Transit-Oriented Area (TOA) is, one within a defined distance area around a majore transit hubs where the land use is mixed, of compact form, and intended to.
General Features of Transit Oriented Areas
Here are the significant hallmarks of TOAs:
High-density Development: TOAs are characterized by multi-story residential and commercial buildings, which maximize the efficient use of land.
Mixed-Use Spaces: These spaces integrate residential, commercial, and recreational uses in one area to create diversity, activity, and interest.
Accessible Transportation: Proximity to a transit station ensures the easy availability of public transportation, decreasing person-owned automobile travel.
Pedestrian and Bicycle Infrastructure: TOAs bring walkability and bike-ability through extensive sidewalk and bike lane use, including pedestrian-friendly crossing.
Sustainable Practices: Reduce environmental impact by integrating energy-efficient buildings and decreasing greenhouse gas emissions.
Environmental Benefits
Environmental sustainability is one of the most significant contributions made by TOAs. Reducing the dependence on cars lowers greenhouse gases and decreases air pollution. Amenities within walking or biking reach promote exercise and reduce the necessity for long commutes.
Economic Development:
TOAs can also contribute to economic development by attracting business and creating jobs. With the rise in footfalls and accessibility to transit stations in these areas, it has become a classic location for retail, food, and other commercial establishments. Besides, higher densities can also lead to better utilization of infrastructure and public services more efficiently, thus reducing municipal expenses.
Social Equity
Transit-oriented areas facilitate social equity as people have affordable living arrangements and easy access to what is essentially needed by the people. Attainment of this is possible through the design of communities that attend to the needs of populations of different economic levels, including low-income populations, through provisions of transportation, employment, and amenities for the community.
Quality of Life in TOAs
Normally, due to the ease and accessibility of the environment, the quality of life in these areas is much better. The availability of public spaces, parks, and other recreational facilities encourages socialization and supports neighborhood building. There is also a potential for significant savings by the individual and household unit, as the need for auto ownership is minimal.
Transit-Oriented Areas: The British Columbia Experience
In December 2023, the British Columbia provincial government introduced sweeping amendments to the Local Government Act and Vancouver Charter to introduce TOAs. Recent changes in housing were in response to a new transit-oriented regulation that is part of a larger-targeted government intervention following the housing crisis to provide improvements in transportation and environmental sustainability.
Legislative Framework
Amendments in the legislation, leading to the regulation of Transit-Oriented Areas and Local Government Transit-Oriented Areas, as well as Order-in Council amendments for the designation, are as follows:
- Vancouver Transit-Oriented Areas Regulation
- Local Government Transit-Oriented Areas Regulation
- Designation of Transit-Oriented Areas Regulation
The regulations make provision for the implementation and allowance within the zoning and planning bylaws of local governments to be able.
Minimum Density Requirements
One of the most significant provisions of the TOA legislation is the implementation of a Minimum Density Framework. The Minimum Density Framework mandates minimum densities and building heights that must be allowed by local governments for TOAs. The minimum density requirements are station-specific (e.g., SkyTrain versus a bus exchange) and distance-based.
Parking Requirements
To maximize transit use and minimize development costs, these provisions limit the power of local jurisdictions to specify off-street residential parking in TOAs other than minimums related to people with disabilities. This will encourage the design in projects in a transit-oriented configuration and more cost-effectively diminish the amount of parking altogether, making the housing cheaper and the projects more economically feasible.
Step-by-Step Guidance for Local Governments
The Provincial Policy Manual sets out a step-by-step process that local governments should follow to designate new TOAs and to be in conformance with the new regulation. Key steps are:
- Confirm the Category of Transit Station.
- Confirm the locations and TOA required for each location.
- Verify Density: Examine the density tables in the by-laws for which requirements have applied for density and height.
- Map All TOAs: Create a map to identify boundaries for each TOA and the density of individual rows.
TOAs are identified By Bylaw: Adopt a bylaw by June 30, 2024, to identify each TOA, including a map of the TOA boundaries. Local governments are encouraged to establish TOA Plans that provide directions for future development.
Density Requirements
Zoning decisions must be consistent with the Minimum Density Framework.
Proposals and Decision-Making
Local governments must notify the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure on the final adoption of a bylaw designating TOAs. For example, failure to adhere to the requirements to designate may result in regulation of the designation by the Province for the TOAs in the municipality.
Future Considerations and Updates
The TOA legislation and regulations are proactively developed to be adaptive to future changes in transit technologies and infrastructure. The regulations are going to be kept updated to consider the additions that will come with the introduction of the new transit services and the expansion of the existing transit services. This can be because the TOA renewal will ensure its relevance and purpose in promoting sustainable urban development.
TOAs are a progressive planning practice in urban development, with the driving force of sustainability, accessibility, and economic vitality. By encouraging high-density, mixed-use development around transit stations, TOAs save automobile trips, protect environmental qualities, and improve the quality of urban living. The legislative framework established in British Columbia is a model for how local governments across the country can embrace the new authorities under national TOD frameworks. As urbanized places grow, transit-oriented development principles take on an ever-increasing importance. Communities that understand the principles and how to use them to build their future do so not merely as an efficient and vibrant community but as inclusive and resilient.
