Transit-Oriented Development: The Economic Development Myth

Government planners are steadily increasing their use of TOD. However, contrary to one of the central tenets of TOD, surveys indicate that most people do not want to be forced into high-rise apartments in a busy urban environment. Four out of five Americans prefer having a home with a yard to living near shops, transit, or jobs.1 So what is the rationale for using taxpayer money to support retail and other development along public transit lines? Planners may think it is best for us to live in high-rise apartments and take transit everywhere, even though we do not want to; but individuals should be able to freely decide where to live, how to travel, or where to open a business.