Planning for transit oriented development in Australian cities

Transit oriented development is a way of redeveloping a city to reduce car dependence.  This paper outlines its basic tenets by examining four strategic policy questions: why we need centres throughout the city and of what kind of density and mix; why we need a rapid transit base (usually electric rail) to link these centres; why we need a statutory planning process requiring TODs and how governments can facilitate them; and why public-private partnerships can make them work better. It illustrates these four strategy areas by examining how they are being applied in Australian cities.