As the Triangle continues to grapple with its transit future, ULI and community members got a taste of the various factors that make Transit Oriented Development (TOD) successful along different modes of transit at ULI Triangle’s “To Shape or Serve” program at the Raleigh Convention Center on June 3, 2015.

TOD experts and practitioners from across the country shared their perspectives, research and case studies during the 2.5 hour program.  In addition, the program provided an update on the Wake County Transit Plan from ULI members who served on the Advisory Committee that helped craft the plan.

A few takeaways from the program include:

• It’s imperative to think about land use implications in concert with making transit decisions
• Transit is a market accelerator, not a market maker
• Transit can shape AND serve at different stations in different areas
• 25-35% of households are interested in living in areas with access to transit and TOD
• The importance of “POD” (pedestrian oriented development) within TOD and around transit stops
• Proximity to transit markedly increases property values
• Bus Rapid Transit generates economic development similar to Light Rail Transit
• Changing demographics are driving investment in TOD
• TOD is not just for downtowns

For more information, please see Dena Belzer’s keynote presentation, the panelists’ case studies and a summary of the Wake County Alternatives Transit Plan on the ULI Triangle event page website.