From Transit Oriented Development to Transit Oriented Healthy Districts

Image © Gensler

Non-communicable diseases (NCD) are responsible for 63% of annual deaths, making them the leading cause of death globally.

Historically, there’s been a strong relationship between the design of our cities and our health. In the past, outbreaks of communicable diseases were alleviated by improvements to sanitation and ventilation and other urban systems. The current health epidemic of chronic disease can be addressed by making physical improvements to our urban environments, which will instigate changes in our lifestyles.

The transformation of transit oriented development (TOD), to transit oriented healthy districts (TOHD) is the natural evolution of smart growth and pedestrian friendly, transit oriented design. Those design principles, which result in more active behavior, have increased people’s access to nutritious food and improved community connectivity. They are at the basis of improving personal health. These changes in behavior can help solve the rampant occurrence of such diseases as obesity and diabetes.

TOHD is the intersection of TOD + Health. It is rooted in an approach requiring inter-related solutions to environmental, physical and social systems. TOHD incorporates transit oriented hubs at a variety of scales, responding to the diverse densities in many cities and systemic solutions resulting in healthier lifestyles. Encompassing larger metro stations and alternate mobility hubs provides for greater coverage and implementation of healthy design principles. TOHD--the densification of urban nodes promoted by mobility opportunities--requires scalable design strategies that prioritize our physical and emotional well being.

This is just an introduction of TOHD. It will be followed by more detailed discussions on the evolution of TOD and the importance of TOHD.

Claudia Carol is the planning and urban design practice area leader of Gensler’s southwest region, with over 25 years of architectural and planning experience ranging from schools and universities to healthcare campuses to mixed-use developments and hospitality projects. Her delight in the urban environment encompasses both the built and experiential aspects of our cities. Contact Claudia at claudia_carol@gensler.com.

Brian Glodney is enchanted by all things urban, and his passion rests in creating healthy, sustainable, and vibrant places and cities. Brian's work has allowed him to study, experience, and work within the thriving metropolis, the downtrodden exurbs, and everything in between. As a Recognized Practitioner of Urban Design, it is his enthusiasm for urban design that permeates his work at every scale, from creating healthy community visions, to urban infill projects, to sports-anchored mixed-use. You can contact Brian at brian_glodney@gensler.com.