Why Urban India Needs Transit-Oriented Development?
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India is among the fastest-growing economies in the world. Its cities share a larger part of the onus to enrich the country’s move towards the accomplishment of developmental goals. To realize this dream and fulfill the aspirations of citizens, Indian cities will have to increase their contributions to the GDP significantly, and they are striving for the same. As per the estimates of the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII), Indian cities are expected to contribute to 70% of India’s GDP by 2030.
While it is a testament to rapid economic growth, it also puts forth several challenges, especially related to livability and the overall quality of life. The burgeoning population has placed a strain on urban mobility, spawning issues such as congestion, pollution, parking challenges, and freight inefficiencies among others. In such a scenario, it is of significant importance to give a boost to the developmental activities while maintaining sustainability. There is a need to prepare the ground for the holistic concept of Transit Oriented Development (TOD) - any micro or macro development originating from the transit node that results in wider accessibility to the transit facility.
The concept of TOD has gained currency in recent times reaffirming the significance of planned and sustainable urbanization. If pursued systematically, it encourages citizens to adopt public mobility solutions and embrace, walk-to-office against private vehicles. It encompasses several high-density, mixed-use, and mixed-income buildings within a short distance from the rapid public transportation network. The concept entails a plethora of benefits such as reducing travel time, encouraging public transport use, reducing congestion, and facilitating safer and vibrant neighborhoods endowed with public amenities.
The TOD also ensures the judicious land use by increasing the developable area through relaxation in FSI norms, thereby reducing the chances of urban sprawl and leading to sustainable development. If planned properly, TOD envisages a residential development at a walking distance of 500m-800 m along the transit corridor. It facilitates last-mile connectivity and encourages public transport adoption. It also increases the financial viability of transit investments and augments revenue streams owing to the unlocking of benefits from a higher FSI. The TOD integrated approach is being adopted across the globe. Some mega cities such as Singapore, Hong Kong, Stockholm, and Washington D.C. have integrated TOD in their master planning and are reaping its benefits in terms of improved quality of life and superior customer experience.
The concept is fast catching up in India too as most of Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities are adopting rapid transit systems such as Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), Light Rail Transit (LRT) and Metro Rail Transit (MRT) that augurs well for the TOD implementation. New Delhi has become the first city in India to adopt TOD in its urban development plans. It envisages a Floor Area Ratio (FAR) of 400 to enable vertical construction to address the shortage of land. It also proposes that the TOD policy to be adopted for development within the Influence Zone (extending up to 500 metres on both sides of MRTS corridors), to enable maximum people to live, work and explore entertainment within walking/ cycling distance of the MRTS corridors/ stations.
The efficacy of TOD, however, depends upon setting tangible benchmarks in line with the goals and objectives of the development of a particular city. While shifting the mode share is a prominent factor, other criteria also need to be considered. At the outset, there should be clarity in the policy formulation elucidating factors such as a percentage of new development within the radius of transit stations, the percentage of the population to inhabit the TOD Zone and the percentage of people to have access to public transport and much more. Aligning the job creation and housing capacity in line with transit-carrying capacity will help create a balanced system minimizing the chances of congestion. Similarly, the proposal of mixed-use development in these regions promotes sustainable urbanization without putting pressure on the optimal density. An effective TOD also calls for the need for setting goals to herald a paradigm shift towards the adoption of public transport and identifying old, traditional neighbourhoods for resettlement through minimal interventions.
TOD integrated development can enhance the quality of life significantly while providing ease and comfort to the residents in the area. A reduction in traffic consumption will lessen the travelling time that residents can utilize in a better way. It will also decrease the road related accidents, injuries and death toll. The greater, faster and cost-effective mobility options will help households cut their spending on transportation thereby boosting their financial strength. This will also help the authority meet the targets of carbon footprint reduction, hence ensuring a healthier milieu for all.
TOD is a futuristic concept to usher a sustainable urban transformation in line with Sustainable Development Goals, especially 11, 12 and 13. Hence it should the centerpiece of urban development policies to ensure a plethora of benefits for the generations to come.
