Brad Bradford of Dialog, presents an overview of Transit Oriented Developments (TODs) for the Toronto CSBA Program.

2. Brad
BRADFORD
PLANNER | Planning + Urban Design
bbradford@designdialog.ca
@bradplans

8. process of shaping a
physical setting to
enhance quality of life ;
and the visual and
physical experience of
everyday life

9. it is the art of creating meaningful
and memorable places through
the design and configuration of
buildings, groups of buildings,
spaces and landscapes.

10. building cities – differentiating one city
from another, enriches urban living,
generates economic value, and attracts
people and business to these places.

11. the quality and character of
areas or structures that are in,
design, patterns, arrangements
or that frame, public spaces.

12. 01 neighbourhoods
02 streets
03 open spaces
04 built form

13. 01 neighbourhoods
complete
walkable
connected
identifiable

14. 02 streets
primary open space
network of the city

15. 02 streets
relationship of streets
and buildings

16. 02 streets
variety of users, modes of
transportation

17. 02 streets
comfort, safety, visual appeal

18. 03 open spaces
opportunity for activity,
range of scale

19. 03 open spaces
adjacent uses,
overall connectivity

20. 04 built form
quality urban fabric,
context+scale sensitive,
contribution public realm

25. “Most of us will outlive our ability to drive. If
we want to be able to stay in our
neighborhoods, in our homes, beyond our
driving years, we need streets that support us
in walking and transit”.
Smithtown, NY. Walkable and Liveable Cities Institute, 2012.

26. “This family in central Florida needs to cross a
street, but there isn't a crossing within a
quarter-mile. So they take their chances with
the six lanes and cars passing at 45 to 55
mph”. Walkable and Liveable Cities Institute, 2012.

30. Metrolinx planned
investment:
$11.5B provincial
$6B federal

31. Transit-Oriented a mixed-use residential or
Development: commercial area designed
to maximize access to public
transport, and encourage
transit ridership

32. Transit-Oriented typically contains a centre
Development: with train, subway, LRT, or bus
station

33. Transit-Oriented surrounded by higher density
Development: development, with
progressively lower density
outwards from centre

34. Transit-Oriented generally located with a
Development: 500m radius from transit stop
500 m radius

35. stops set far apart
500 m radius 500 m radius
activities are polarized + development sporadic + pedestrian environment inconsistent
stops at regular intervals
500 m radius 500 m radius 500 m radius 500 m radius 500 m radius
activities and development are well distributed + pedestrian environment continuous

37. Transit oriented
development
Extended tree
canopy
drive +
transit Active uses at
park grade level
Active public
realm
walk Wider Sidewalks
cycle
Enhanced
Crosswalks

38. Critical mass of people
and activities
Consistent building
podium (street-wall)
Distinct streetscaping
Buildings face the
street with active uses
at grade level
Pedestrian crossings at
regular intervals
Integrated transit
system

44. Neighbourhood

45. Common Characteristics
• Predominantly single-family homes
• Condition and value of homes vary widely
• A mix of multi-family, employment and retail uses may occur, especially at
stations close to downtown and along arterial roadways
• Street grids are typically present within more urbanized areas; fewer are
present within suburban areas and often include cul-de-sacs.
Appropriate TOD Characteristics
Infill – 2 storey townhomes and duplex housing, except on arterials, collector
roads and large sites where 4 storey apartment housing is appropriate.
Neighbourhood serving retail uses, eating and drinking establishments and
professional offices close to station. Improved pedestrian and bike access.

46. New Neighbourhood

47. Common Characteristics
• Predominantly undeveloped land and large redevelopable sites; in some
cases, portions of the area may already be developed for predominately
single-family housing
• Large development or redevelopment sites
Appropriate TOD Characteristics
Infill –2 storey townhomes and duplex housing, except on arterials, collector
roads and large sites where mid-rise apartment housing is appropriate.
Neighbourhood serving retail uses, eating and drinking establishments and
professional offices close to station. Improved pedestrian and bike access.
Greenfield –2 to 3 storey townhomes and 4 storey apartments.
Neighbourhood serving retail uses, eating and drinking establishments and
professional offices close to station. Interconnected street grid interspersed
with neighbourhood parks.

48. Enhanced Neighbourhood

49. Common Characteristics
• No predominant use; existing uses vary from large redevelopment sites to
existing shopping centres
• Typically in close proximity to regional employment, shopping or
recreational uses
• Large development or redevelopment sites
• Street grids may be present; however, large redevelopment sites may lack
auto, pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure
Appropriate TOD Characteristics
• Higher density residential
• Neighbourhood-serving street-oriented retail shops—grocery and drug
stores and other anchor retail
• Neighbourhood employment—professional offices and services
• Neighbourhood urban parks
• Street grid throughout
• Improved pedestrian and bicycle connectivity through existing and
surrounding neighbourhoods

50. Centre

51. Common Characteristics
• Predominantly retail; existing uses may include shopping destinations
Potential development sites consist mostly of parking lots or other low-
intensity uses
• Street grids typically absent; lacking pedestrian and bicycle access to
residential areas
• Regional auto access; adjacent to major roadways
Appropriate TOD Characteristics
• Primary shopping destination
• Higher density residential housing coupled with park amenities
• Neighbourhood employment—professional offices and services
• Street grid within development site
• Significant street-oriented retail uses
• Maintain and strengthen existing retail.
• Improved pedestrian and bicycle connectivity
• to surrounding neighbourhoods

52. Employment

53. Common Characteristics
• Predominantly undeveloped land or low intensity employment
• Regional auto access; adjacent to major roadways
• Street grid absent within development sites
• Poor bicycle and pedestrian connectivity to existing residential areas
Appropriate TOD Characteristics
• Low-rise professional offices and services, such as corporate headquarters
or research and development uses
• Medical campus/hospital use
• Major transit park & ride facility at select stations adjacent to major
roadways
• Street-oriented employment and neighbourhood serving retail.
• Higher density residential uses
• Street grid throughout development sites
• Improved pedestrian and bicycle connectivity to surrounding
neighbourhoods

54. Institutional/Recreation

55. Common Characteristics
• Predominantly educational or medical campuses or regional-serving
recreation facilities
• Land use and circulation frameworks are dictated by campus master
plans
• Medical and educational campuses have high transit ridership
throughout the day
• Recreational uses have high peak ridership during events
• Street grid may be absent throughout campus sites
• Pedestrian and bicycle access within campus boundaries
Appropriate TOD Characteristics
• Maintain/strengthen existing campus and/or
• recreation functions
• Neighbourhood serving retail at stations— eating and drinking
establishments, convenience retail, small grocery and drug stores
• Improved pedestrian and bicycle connectivity

56. Downtown

57. Common Characteristics
• A mix of uses is typical throughout
• Development sites vary in size and
location
• Interconnected street grid
• Pedestrian and bicycle improvements
vary
Appropriate TOD Characteristics
• Maintain/strengthen existing transit
supportive uses
• Increase density

58. 42 DU/HA RESIDENTIAL
ROW HOUSE

59. 63 DU/HA RESIDENTIAL
STACKED ROW HOUSE

60. 125 DU/HA RESIDENTIAL
LOW-RISE APARTMENT

61. 225 DU/HA RESIDENTIAL
MID-RISE APARTMENT

64. YONGE ST. and DAVIS DR. looking south &Co., 2009

65. YONGE ST. and DAVIS DR. looking south &Co., 2009

66. YONGE ST. and DAVIS DR. looking south &Co., 2009

67. YONGE ST. and DAVIS DR. looking south &Co., 2009

68. YONGE ST. and DAVIS DR. looking south &Co., 2009

69. YONGE ST. and DAVIS DR. looking south &Co., 2009

70. DAVIS DR. looking west towards YONGE ST. &Co., 2009

71. DAVIS DR. looking west towards YONGE ST. &Co., 2009

72. DAVIS DR. looking west towards YONGE ST. &Co., 2009

73. DAVIS DR. looking west towards YONGE ST. &Co., 2009

74. DAVIS DR. looking west towards YONGE ST. &Co., 2009

75. DAVIS DR. looking west towards YONGE ST. &Co., 2009

76. Intersection of WESTIN and LAWRENCE, 1907

84. Brad
BRADFORD
PLANNER | Planning + Urban Design
bbradford@designdialog.ca
@bradplans