NITC-RR-544

NITC-RR-544Transit oriented development (TOD) projects in low income neighborhoods can provide transportation access to underserved populations. This project shows how large scale TOD projects can lead to revitalization in low income Latino communities. But these positive outcomes depend on the process and context of these neighborhoods, and how planners use the various forms of political, financial and cultural capital in these communities in the planning and

Transit-oriented development (TOD) projects in low-income neighborhoods can provide transportation access to underserved populations. This project shows how large-scale TOD projects can lead to revitalization in low-income Latino communities. But these positive outcomes depend on the process and context of these neighborhoods, and how planners use the various forms of political, financial and cultural capital in these communities in the planning and implementation process of TOD projects. This comparative case study analyzed the Fruitvale Transit Village in Oakland and the MacArthur Park METRO TOD in Los Angeles. We showed how TOD projects may improve access to regional transportation, increasing the number of affordable housing units, supporting local businesses, and building upon social services. We conclude that TODs can serve as catalysts for low-income neighborhoods by building upon endogenous cultural, political, financial and built capital, and encouraging participatory decision-making.