Barriers and Incentives to Transit-Oriented Development

Within targeted growth areas around the country, there are many barriers to transit-oriented development (TOD), including public opposition, site constraints, infrastructure deficits, regulatory hurdles, and financing complications. In an effort to overcome these barriers, communities are revising regulations and instituting incentives to make smart growth projects easier to develop.

A number of communities in the Washington region are contemplating or have begun similar efforts. In order to gain a broader understanding of the incentives that stimulate smart growth, the barriers that impede smart growth, and the opportunities to encourage better practices both in these communities and elsewhere in the region, the Alliance examined the issues related to TOD in Prince George’s County, Prince William County, and the District of Columbia. 

In July 2003 the Alliance sponsored a two-day ULI Advisory Services workshop involving a panel of national experts in real estate, land use planning, and transit-oriented development (TOD). These experts addressed issues raised through the background research and the questions posed by the selected jurisdictions regarding their efforts to encourage TOD. After touring TOD projects in each jurisdiction, meeting with community representatives, and deliberating among themselves to reach consensus, the panelists presented their recommendations to the jurisdictions, the Alliance and other stakeholders at the conclusion of the workshop. This report presents the panel’s findings.

Click here to download the report.