Assessing the Impacts of Transit-Oriented Development on Neighborhood Livability and Housing Affordability in a Mid-Sized City

Project Abstract

This study investigates how Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) affects neighborhood livability and housing affordability in a mid-sized city, integrating urban form, social equity, and economic resilience to assess whether TOD strategies can deliver superior quality of life while maintaining inclusive housing options. Employing a mixed-methods design, the research combines GIS-based land-use and transportation network analysis, property market data, and longitudinal resident surveys with key informant interviews of planners, developers, and community groups. The study period spans a decade to capture pre- and post-TOD conditions, allowing for a robust examination of causal linkages between proximity to high-frequency transit, mixed-use activation, and changes in access to jobs, services, and social infrastructure. Livability is operationalized through measurable dimensions including safety, walkability, access to green space, urban vitality, noise and air quality, and perceived community cohesion. Housing affordability is assessed via changes in housing costs relative to income, rental vacancy dynamics, tenure stability, and the distribution of income groups across TOD and non-TOD neighborhoods. The analysis investigates heterogeneity across street networks, block faces, and housing types to identify which TOD configurations yield equitable outcomes versus unintended disparities such as gentrification or displacement pressure. Policy-relevant indicators are developed to evaluate the effectiveness of station-area planning, parking management, pipeline of affordable units, and inclusionary zoning within the TOD framework. Preliminary findings indicate that well-designed TOD can improve walkability, reduce car-dependence, and increase access to employment opportunities, yet the benefits to housing affordability are contingent on proactive affordability controls, above- and below-market housing strategies, and mitigation of displacement risk for vulnerable households. The research highlights the importance of inclusive engagement processes that amplify resident voices, particularly for marginalized communities, in the early stages of TOD projects. Spatially explicit results reveal that livability gains are concentrated within a defined radius of transit nodes with strong mixed-use environments, while peripheral areas experience limited improvements unless complemented by complementary investments in public realm, safety, and service provision. The study contributes a transferable analytical framework that cities can adapt to evaluate TOD outcomes across different mid-sized urban contexts, offering practical guidance for balancing intensification with social equity. Policy implications underscore the need for coordinated land-use planning, transparent housing finance mechanisms, and robust monitoring dashboards to track affordability and livability metrics over time, ensuring TOD outcomes align with broader regional goals of resilient, inclusive urban development.

Project Overview

What This Project Is About

---

A plain-language overview of how a city’s train, bus, and cycling options influence where people live, how they feel about their neighborhoods, and whether housing is affordable for them. The project looks at a mid-sized city to see if nearby transit access makes neighborhoods more attractive to residents while also affecting housing costs.

---

---

The Problem It Addresses

---

Many cities pursue transit improvements to reduce traffic and emissions, but it’s unclear how these changes affect who can live near transit and how livable those areas feel. The study investigates whether transit-oriented development helps or hurts neighborhood livability and whether housing becomes more or less affordable for different residents.

---

---

Objectives of the Project

---

1. Describe how transit access relates to neighborhood livability indicators (safety, amenities, quietness).
2. Assess changes in housing affordability around transit stations.
3. Identify which groups may benefit or be disadvantaged by transit-oriented development.
4. Provide practical recommendations for inclusive, sustainable planning.

---

---

What You Will Do Step by Step

---

1. Review city plans and relevant literature on transit-oriented development.
2. Map transit access and collect neighborhood livability data (surveys, crime stats, amenities).
3. Analyze housing costs and occupancy patterns near transit nodes.
4. Compare pre- and post-development periods if data exist.
5. Interview planners and residents to capture experiences and concerns.
6. Draw conclusions about impacts and equity considerations.
7. Draft practical guidelines for future projects.

---

---

Expected Outcome

Clear insights into how transit-oriented development affects livability and housing affordability, with actionable recommendations for planners to promote inclusive growth and balanced neighborhood benefits.