Transit Oriented Development
Putting new development near transit is essential for a smart growth future. The DC region is rich with public transit stations. We need to take advantage of our eighty-six Metro, eighteen VRE and twenty-nine MARC stations and make them centers of great communities. A region-wide network of great places near current and future transit would have three key results:
- Ease traffic.
- Give residents better access to jobs, homes and services.
- Balance transit use in both directions all day.
A neighborhood is considered transit-oriented if the bulk of its development is focused within a quarter or half mile walk from the station. Often, the tallest buildings and busiest mix of houses, stores and services are closest to the station. Along street car lines, the neighborhoods run in a ribbon two blocks to either side - again with the tallest buildings closest to the busy streetcar line.
Many of our region's transit stations are nestled within vibrant neighborhoods. Still, there are dozens of stations surrounded by parking lots, waiting to fulfill their potential as anchors of great places. These areas are full of opportunity for creative new planning and design: New Carrollton, Dunn Loring, Twinbrook and Deanwood are a few examples.
