Pittsburgh north shore skyline. (Photo Credit: Tony Webster via Flickr)
We’re proud to announce the launch of Building Better Communities with Transit, a monthly podcast series about transit-oriented development and how it improves communities across America.
This new podcast taps into a growing wealth of expertise with building around transit stations or along transit corridors. Interviews share community successes with TOD, highlighting development near transit of all shapes and sizes—heavy rail, bus and everything in between.
Transit-oriented development varies depending on local conditions and needs. It’s vital that projects are tailored to and respond to each community’s priorities. Beginning with the first episode today, and continuing in a monthly series, podcast host Jeff Wood will invite experts to discuss ways communities can catalyze economic growth by encouraging development around transit stations. Jeff and his guests will discuss developing local policies that encourage TOD, engaging the public, securing sources for funding, successful community experiences, and other topics.
The podcast is intended to provide more support to communities and local leaders who are working to catalyze new development around transit, give more people access to public transportation, increase access to opportunity, and build robust local economies.
Listen to the inaugural episode.
For this first episode of Building Better Communities with Transit, Jeff Wood speaks with Breen Masciotra, transit-oriented development manager for the Port Authority of Allegheny County, PA, and Karina Ricks, director of the Department of Mobility and Infrastructure for the City of Pittsburgh. We discuss the challenges they face in Pittsburgh, including steep topography, new technologies, and pedestrian-hostile streets. You’ll also hear about how they’re making a more walkable and multi-modal city through new bus rapid transit projects, transit-oriented development initiatives, and “eco innovation districts.”
Update: Checkout all the episodes on our podcast page. A new episode is released every month!
Recent TOD news
Here are a few things that have been happening with TOD projects across the country.
- Connecticut to Invest $15 million in TOD (Hartford Courant)
- Sydney developing housing along transit lines, but citizens feel city is full (Guardian)
- New Metrolink platforms will support existing TOD in Orange County (Los Angeles Times)
- Gov. Cuomo proposes new subway extension and affordable housing in Brooklyn’s Red Hook neighborhood (New York Times)