Planning for Transit Oriented Development: Strategic Principles

This chapter examines the forces helping to propel Portland in a different direction than other communities with modern urban transit systems. The Portland region&s;s approach to transit development has evolved continuously to reflect the region&s;s growing interest, needs and experience in using transit as a community building tool. The Portland region arguably has the most aggressive transit oriented development (TOD) program in the United States. Portland&s;s TOD toolbox includes an enhanced planning framework at the state and regional level, financial incentives for TOD and specialized staff working to accelerate TOD construction. TriMet&s;s involvement in TOD has been as an advocate, an educator, a funder and sometimes a direct participant in development. The TOD Program operates through a series of cooperative agreements between Metro and local jurisdictions, and utilizes development agreements with private developers. TOD has taken centre stage in the Portland region&s;s growth management strategy.