The Effects of Transit-Oriented Development: A Case Study of MARTA Neighborhoods Brian Simel
What is Transit-Oriented Development? Real estate development near transit nodes Nodes can include highway exits, bus stops, train stops, etc.
Gap in TOD Research Most studies only observe property value effects Address, but ultimately ignore other consequences
What is MARTA? The rapid transit system in Atlanta, Georgia Eigth-largest system in the United States First station: 1979
Why MARTA? Regional government did little to actively encourage investment around stations Interesting racial applications
Stations Selected All 12 stations built between 1970 and 1980 are included All different types of stations, from neighborhood to high density
Data Collection Used SimplyMap and Census data Compared census blocks which contained station with the city and MSA of Atlanta as a whole Looked for interesting statistics
Most Interesting Results Station areas became disproportionately more African-American in a statistically significant way No discernable effect on the percentage of housing stock which was renter-occupied vs. owner-occupied
Discussion Transit as a source of social engineering Can (and should) we encourage sustainable growth through transit decisions?