Next Stop: Transit Oriented Communities
Los Angeles County’s 15-year initiative to overhaul its transportation infrastructure aims to reduce car reliance and promote public transit, walking, and cycling through dense, transit-oriented development (TOD) near stations. Despite significant investment, numerous challenges remain including bureaucratic obstacles, declining per capita ridership, and concerns about displacement and gentrification. The study evaluated LA Metro rail stations’ impact on nearby communities, using ACS data from 2009 to 2022 to analyze demographic, housing, and mode choice changes within a half-mile radius of stations built between 2010 and 2020.
Findings indicated increased population density, racial diversification, and higher education levels near stations. Median household income and housing costs surged, signaling economic growth and gentrification. Urban renewal was evident with increased construction activity, rising rent and home values, and rise in remote work. Decline in public transportation usage was less significant near stations compared to city-wide.
To enhance Los Angeles’ existing TOD policies, several recommendations were proposed. Encouraging diverse housing types near transit stations through mixed-use zoning, multi-family homes, and ADUs can increase density without major disruption. Innovative housing models like community land trusts and modular housing can improve affordability. Implementing robust anti-displacement measures, such as extending rent control, can safeguard low-income residents from gentrification. Promoting economic development near transit stations through local hire policies can reduce unemployment and foster economic stability. Lastly, expanded monitoring of TOD areas are necessary to better understand residential and travel behaviors, refining strategies to promote sustainable development and ensure inclusive, resilient, and thriving transit-oriented communities in Los Angeles.
