Why Chicago Needs More Transit-Oriented Developments

Why Chicago Needs More Transit-Oriented Developments
Monday, May 11, 2015, by Curbed Staff


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[font size="1"]A rendering of an upcoming TOD project near the Paulina Brown Line station[/font]


Corresponding to data released earlier this month highlighting the need for transit-oriented development (TOD) in Lakeview—and the negative effect current zoning restrictions have on the neighborhood—new analysis from Yonah Freemark at the Metropolitan Planning Council shows that, in order for Chicago to keep growing and stay healthy, it needs to focus on growth near transit hubs. Despite Chicago's professional diversity, culture, and global business connections, its growth is slow compared to other cities.

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Though aging, Chicago's public transit system is one of its greatest assets, and as the upcoming professional class becomes decreasingly car-reliant and car-centric, the importance of reliable and accessible public transit will continue to grow. For example, Freemark shows that in many of Chicago's north side neighborhoods, which are public transit accessible, there is an increased demand for housing, which subsequently drives up rents and localized incomes. Because many current zoning rules in place limit the construction of new housing, would-be city dwellers are priced out to the suburbs—or to different cities altogether. As one of example of this, Freemark demonstrates that the amount of people living within a half-mile of a CTA or Metra station over the past 60 years has declined from over 52% to a mere 22% today. .......................(more)

http://chicago.curbed.com/archives/2015/05/11/why-chicago-needs-transitoriented-development.php